Several southern Odisha districts started receiving rain as very severe cyclonic storm “Arnab” hurtled towards Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday (October 27, 2026) morning.
Chakradhar Babu reviewed the preparedness measures during a teleconference with senior officials and district medical authorities on Monday evening. During a teleconference with Municipal Commissioners on Monday, attended by senior officials of the Municipal Administration Department, the Minister instructed the authorities to prevent waterlogging in low-lying areas and ensure the effective functioning of drainage systems. Panic buying of essential commodities was reported across Visakhapatnam on Monday as Cyclone Arnab barrels towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Chandrababu Naidu has ordered heightened preparedness across the State, officials said, adding that 4,711 pregnant women will be shifted to safer healthcare facilities. They said 30,043 fishing boats have returned to the harbours. Ajax: AP on red alert as Arnab nears coast; Odisha readies 1,700 shelters amid potential landfall, evacuations, and heavy rainfall. The Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare has readied 6,431 emergency beds, 630 medical teams and 716 vehicles as part of its preparedness for the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab. Health Department readies 6,431 emergency beds for cyclone Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Cyclone Arnab is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam-Kakinada, by October 28, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The forecast of heavy rainfall and gusty winds reaching up to 140 kmph triggered early-morning rush and panic buying across the coastal city.
The Andhra Pradesh government has directed officials to evacuate people from flood-prone areas, prioritise vulnerable residents, and deploy disaster response teams in the wake of the cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’. Chief Minister N. Health Secretary G. Veerapandian and Health and Family Welfare Commissioner K.V.N. Narayana has directed Municipal Commissioners in cyclone-affected municipalities to remain on high alert and take all necessary measures to protect the public from the impact of severe cyclonic storm Arnab. He directed engineering and sanitation staff to take timely measures to clear drains and ensure the smooth flow of rainwater. Officials were asked to remain vigilant and respond promptly to emerging situations. Narayana urges cyclone alert, waterlogging prevention, and proactive evacuations to safeguard vulnerable areas and maintain drainage operations. Shoppers flocked to markets in large numbers, leaving Rythu Bazaars and open retail counters completely depleted as people rushed to hoard essential commodities ahead of the impending storm. Panic buying hits Visakhapatnam as Cyclone Arnab nears, draining markets of essentials amid warnings of heavy rain and high winds.
As per India Meteorological Department (IMD), the very severe cyclonic storm “Arnab” over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 25 kmph during past six hours, and lay-centered over the same region 300 km southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 360 km east-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 380 km south of Gopalpur (Odisha), 460 km east of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 530 km east of Bapatla (Andhra Pradesh) and 920 km west-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman Islands) on October 27, 2026. — Satyasundar Barik Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab threatens Andhra Pradesh as Odisha records heavy rain and IMD forecasts 115-140 km/h winds and extensive rainfall. The eastern coastal states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh closed schools, prohibited sea fishing and kept rescue teams on standby, stepping up precautionary measures ahead of Cyclone Arnab’s expected landfall on Wednesday to ensure “zero loss of life and minimal damage to infrastructure”. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its Monday morning bulletin, said a deep depression over east-central and southeast Bay of Bengal has moved westward and has intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’. — PTI
