Cyclone Arnab To Hit Andhra Coast On Oct 28; State Braces Up For Extremely Heavy Rainfall | Top Points

News india Cyclone Arnab To Hit Andhra Coast On Oct 28; State Braces Up For Extremely Heavy Rainfall | Top Points

Last Updated:October 26, 2026, 10:05 IST

Cyclone Arnab is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28 with winds of up to 125 kmph and gusts of 140 kmph. IMD warns of heavy rain.

Cyclone Arnab is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting winds of 115-125 kmph and gusts reaching up to 140 kmph. The system, currently over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, is moving west-northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.

The IMD has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across North Andhra and central coastal districts on October 27 and 28.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, coordinate preparedness measures across departments and ensure that precautionary alerts reach residents.

Odisha has also begun preparations, while mechanised boat fishermen in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district stayed ashore following a cyclone warning.

• Landfall Expected On October 28: According to the IMD, Cyclone Arnab is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28 as a very severe cyclonic storm.
• Winds Of Up To 140 Kmph Forecast: The weather department has forecast maximum sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph during landfall, with gusts reaching up to 140 kmph on certain occasions.
• Cyclonic System Moving Towards Andhra Coast: The deep depression over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 15 kmph in the six hours preceding the IMD’s 11.30 pm update on October 25. It was centred near latitude 15.3°N and longitude 89.7°E.
• Distance From Andhra Pradesh Coast: The system was located approximately 730 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 820 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 920 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam and 990 km east of Bapatla, according to the IMD.
• Storm Expected To Intensify: Officials informed the Andhra Pradesh government that the system was likely to intensify into a cyclone by the morning of October 26, a severe cyclonic storm by that night and a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27.
• Heavy Rainfall Alert For October 27-28: Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is likely in North Andhra and central coastal districts. Isolated places could receive exceptionally heavy rainfall, officials said.
• Several Coastal Districts Under Watch: Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema and East Godavari are among the districts expected to experience strong winds and heavy rainfall. Other parts of North Andhra are also being monitored.
• Anakapalli May Receive Highest Average Rainfall: Officials estimated that Anakapalli district could record an average rainfall of 292.55 mm, followed by Alluri Sitarama Raju district at 281.17 mm, Visakhapatnam at 253.87 mm and Srikakulam at 249.18 mm.
• Andhra CM Orders Round-The-Clock Vigilance: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed preparedness measures with officials from 10 departments and district collectors. He directed them to maintain maximum readiness, coordinate across departments and take measures to prevent loss of life and minimise property damage.
• District Control Rooms And Four-Hourly Bulletins: Naidu instructed district administrations to establish control rooms and issue cyclone bulletins every four hours. Officials have also been asked to send continuous alerts and updates to people’s mobile phones.
• Residents Urged To Follow Advisories: Authorities have been directed to persuade people in coastal villages to follow government advisories and move to safer locations wherever necessary.
• Fishing Boats Asked To Return To Shore: The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that all fishing boats at sea return to shore. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea as rough conditions are expected.
• Power And Communication Restoration Plans: The Electricity Department has been directed to prepare for disruptions and ensure the speedy restoration of power supply. Agencies have also been asked to remain ready to restore mobile phone networks if communications are affected.
• Pregnant Women To Be Shifted To Hospitals: Naidu instructed officials to move pregnant women expected to deliver during the coming week to hospitals in advance, citing the possibility of transport disruptions during the cyclone.
• Food, Water And Relief Centres: Officials have been asked to maintain adequate stocks of drinking water and food. District collectors have also been directed to ensure that emergency funds are available and relief and rehabilitation centres have sufficient facilities.
• Irrigation Department Asked To Prepare: The Chief Minister directed the Irrigation Department to take necessary measures to replenish reservoirs and water resources using floodwater from heavy rainfall.
• Odisha Reviews Preparedness: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the state government had reviewed the possible impact of Cyclone Arnab and assigned specific responsibilities to departments to ensure preparedness ahead of the system’s expected landfall.
• Fishermen In Tamil Nadu Stay Ashore: In Thoothukudi district, mechanised boat fishermen did not venture into the sea on Monday as a precautionary measure following a cyclone warning.

The Andhra Pradesh government is focusing on advance evacuation where necessary, uninterrupted essential services and timely communication as the system approaches the coast.

Officials have been instructed to use satellite information and scientific data while planning precautionary measures, with particular emphasis on protecting lives and minimising damage to property.

With the storm expected to intensify before landfall, the next few days will be crucial for coastal districts likely to experience strong winds and intense rainfall.

The IMD’s forecast places October 27 and 28 as key days for severe weather, while district administrations have been asked to keep emergency arrangements operational and ensure that the public receives regular updates.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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