Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), 28 October (H.S.): Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab began making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast early Wednesday, near the Yanam–Kakinada region, unleashing heavy rainfall and powerful winds across coastal districts.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the landfall process began at around 1.20 a.m. and was expected to continue for approximately three to four hours. The cyclone crossed the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to the south of Yanam, with sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph and gusts reaching 150 kmph. The storm’s faster movement brought forward the expected landfall.

Several northern districts of Andhra Pradesh have been experiencing extremely heavy rainfall. Reports from Visakhapatnam indicated waterlogging, uprooted trees and disruptions to electricity supplies. Schools were closed in affected areas, while several train services and flights were cancelled as a precautionary measure.

Airlines IndiGo and Air India issued advisories warning passengers about disruptions to flights to and from Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said thousands of people had been moved to safer locations ahead of the cyclone’s arrival. More than 84,000 people had reportedly been evacuated from vulnerable areas, while authorities urged fishermen to stay away from the sea.

Naidu said the state had identified 2,199 cyclone shelters and prepared evacuation plans to protect residents in areas at risk of flooding and storm damage. He added that 2,360 pregnant women had been shifted to medical facilities to ensure access to healthcare during the emergency.

The state government has deployed 12 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 10 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to assist with rescue operations and emergency response.

The IMD has issued warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall for coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Rain and strong winds are expected to persist for some time even after the cyclone crosses the coast, raising concerns about flooding, fallen trees and further disruption to transport and electricity supplies.

Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable locations to remain alert, follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.

### Odisha also steps up precautionary measures

Neighbouring Odisha has also intensified its preparations, with schools closed in 16 districts and evacuation operations under way in vulnerable areas.

The IMD has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and Chhattisgarh under the influence of Cyclone Arnab.

Emergency teams and local administrations in the affected states are monitoring the situation and coordinating precautionary measures to minimise the impact on residents. People living in low-lying and cyclone-prone areas have been advised to follow instructions issued by local authorities and move to designated shelters wherever necessary.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar