Arnab Update: Expected landfall near Yanam- Kakinada, red alert issued for 7 districts

Wind speed may reach up to 60 to 80 km/h. While in North Odisha wind gusts may reach up to 40 to 50 km/h. Peak wind gusts may reach 140 to 150 km/h

Arnab Update: Expected landfall near Yanam- Kakinada, red alert issued for 7 districts: A Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Arnab’ is expected to make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam- Kakinada, on October 28 morning. Cyclone Arnab is intensifying and moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, prompting warnings at several ports along the coastline. Officials have flagged the risk of a storm surge that could flood low-lying coastal areas as sea conditions deteriorate.

According to Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is currently intensifying over the Bay of Bengal, positioned roughly 260–300 km from Visakhapatnam and 300 km from Kakinada.

During the landfall process on October 28 morning, sustained Wind Speed will be 115 to 125 km/h, reaching up to 135 km/h. Peak wind gusts may reach 140 to 150 km/h.

In South Odisha wind speed may reach up to 60 to 80 km/h. While in North Odisha wind gusts may reach up to 40 to 50 km/h.

Due to the intense wind speeds, severe damage to standing crops (especially paddy), uprooting of large trees, and rail, air, and road transit may be disrupted.

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A Red Alert has been declared across coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern districts of Odisha. Kakinada, East Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, Alluri Sitharama Raju and Ankapalli districts of Andhra Pradesh have been issued red alert. These districts are likely to experience isolated extremely heavy rainfall. While Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 27. Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur are placed in High-Risk District category in Odisha.

The cyclone is expected to weaken progressively after October 29. Authorities have urged residents in coastal and low-lying areas to stay indoors and follow local administrative guidelines.