Authorities in the eastern coastal states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal are gearing up for cyclone Arnab, which is expected to make landfall near Visakhapatnam on Wednesday afternoon.
The Konaseema–Yanam–Kakinada coastal belt is among the areas being closely monitored for a possible landfall. The system could cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the afternoon of October 28, according to the forecast presented at the review meeting. Officials informed Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu that the system was likely to intensify into a cyclone by the morning of October 26, a severe cyclone by that night, and a very severe cyclone on October 27. At the time of landfall, wind speeds could reach 115–125 kmph, with gusts of up to 140 kmph on certain occasions.
The intensity of rainfall is likely to be particularly high on October 27 and 28, officials said. Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said 135 cyclone shelters and 1,600 temporary accommodation centres were ready. Eight NDRF teams, 40 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams and fire services personnel have been deployed across districts, with additional teams stationed in Ganjam and other coastal areas.
The chief minister also directed officials to issue cyclone bulletins every four hours and ensure that updated information reaches the public, district administrations and field-level personnel without delay. Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema and East Godavari districts, along with other parts of North Andhra, are expected to experience strong winds and heavy rainfall. Chief minister Mohan Majhi assigned deputy CMs KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida to Koraput and Rayagada, respectively. Ministers Rabi Narayan Naik, Bibhuti Jena, Krushna Chandra Patra, Nityananda Gond, Mukesh Mahaling and Suryabanshi Suraj have been deployed to Kandhamal, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Kalahandi and Gajapati, respectively.
Naidu instructed officials to continuously assess the cyclone’s trajectory and alert people according to the anticipated intensity of its impact. Odisha chief secretary Anu Garg, who had a videoconference with union cabinet secretary TV Somanathan, said senior officers have been deputed to oversee preparedness and the post-cyclone response, while the power and water resources departments have been directed to remain alert.
