The eastern coastal States of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have closed schools, prohibited fishing activities and kept rescue teams on standby as they stepped up precautionary measures ahead of severe Cyclone Arnab’s expected landfall on Wednesday (October 28, 2026).
Authorities said the focus was on ensuring zero loss of life and minimising damage to infrastructure.
The system is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm, packing wind speeds of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, by the forenoon of October 28, the IMD said. The Andaman and Nicobar administration has ordered the closure of all schools until Tuesday (October 27), while the Odisha government has declared the closure of schools, colleges and anganwadi centres in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts on October 28 and 29. Beaches have been shut to the public, while traffic on coastal roads is set to be suspended from Tuesday (October 27) afternoon as a safety measure. Andhra University has cancelled in-person classes from Monday and shifted to online mode until November 4, Registrar K. In Anakapalli district, Collector Vijaya Krishnan declared a holiday for schools of all managements from October 27 to 29. Tourist boat and ferry services in Chilika Lake have been suspended from October 26 to 29 as a precautionary measure. At Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada, home to the Kanaka Durga temple, ghat roads were closed to traffic on October 27 as a precautionary measure. Museums along Beach Road, including the INS Kursura Submarine Museum, TU-142 Aircraft Museum, Sea Harrier Museum and Helicopter Museum, will also remain closed during the period. The South Coast Railway zone has set up a round-the-clock control room and cancelled 53 trains in preparation for Cyclone Arnab. Railway authorities said services on 53 routes across the coastal region would remain suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A two-day holiday has also been announced for schools in NTR district. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed teams in vulnerable areas, while additional teams remain on standby. In Andhra Pradesh, educational institutions in cyclone-affected areas have been declared closed. In Alluri Sitharama Raju district, Collector T. Residential schools and hostels will continue to function. The Odisha government has prohibited entry to hills, waterfalls and dams in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts in view of the approaching cyclone. Authorities have moved boats to safer locations along the coast and are monitoring the situation across coastal areas and water bodies. The temple area is prone to rockslides during spells of heavy rain. Several tourist destinations in Visakhapatnam, including Kailasagiri, the Thotlakonda Buddhist site, VMRDA City Central Park and VMRDA Park along RK Beach, will remain closed to visitors for two days. Most of the affected trains were scheduled to operate between stations in north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Guntur. The zone has intensified surveillance of vulnerable bridges, tracks, yards and signalling systems. Efforts are also under way to clear silt, vegetation and debris from drainage channels to prevent waterlogging. Help desks are being established at major stations to provide information to passengers, while additional counters will facilitate refunds for cancelled tickets. Catering units have been directed to maintain adequate food stocks, while backup power arrangements, medical teams, first-aid facilities and ambulances have been kept ready for emergency response. Civil Defence personnel, along with Scouts and Guides volunteers, have been alerted, and railway crews are on standby to operate special trains if required. The Odisha government has mobilised resources in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts, identified as vulnerable areas in the southern region. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has deputed eight Ministers to monitor preparedness measures in different districts. Rescue teams comprising personnel from the NDRF, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire and Emergency Services and the police have been pre-positioned in vulnerable locations. The Paradip Port Authority has provided shelter to fishing boats and fishermen inside Paradip harbour amid deteriorating weather conditions. Authorities have also begun moving residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the deep depression over the east-central and southeast Bay of Bengal had moved westwards and intensified into Cyclonic Storm Arnab. Rambabu said. Railway authorities said updates would be disseminated through station help desks, helpline numbers and official communication channels.
Nishanthi announced a holiday for day-scholar schools, colleges and anganwadi centres on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel have also been positioned to clear fallen trees and restore road connectivity in affected areas. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to assess rainfall intensity, wind speed and flood flows and take appropriate measures based on evolving conditions. Mr. He also directed officials to ensure adequate stocks of essential commodities at ration shops and restore power supply without delay wherever disruptions occur. The Electricity Department was asked to remain fully prepared for rapid restoration of services. The Irrigation Department was instructed to take steps to utilise floodwaters from heavy rainfall to replenish reservoirs and water resources.
All fishermen who had ventured into the sea have reportedly returned to shore, while all 30,043 fishing boats have been secured at harbours, according to the government. The Agriculture Department has been directed to move harvested paddy to safer locations and take measures to protect horticultural crops spread across nearly 1.8 lakh hectares. He asked officials to study lessons from previous cyclones and issue timely warnings to farmers and the public so that precautionary measures could be taken in advance.
Naidu said preparedness should be guided by satellite inputs and scientific data, with priority accorded to preventing loss of life and minimising damage to property.
Majhi said that although the cyclone was expected to make landfall between Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Odisha could experience heavy rainfall and wind speeds of up to 80 kmph. The Agriculture Department has advised farmers to harvest and safely store crops that are 80-85% mature and has opened dedicated helplines for assistance. The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday (October 26, 2026) released ₹27 crore to 20 districts for relief operations as Cyclone Arnab is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the State. To prevent drinking water shortages, 2,613 emergency water tankers have been kept ready for deployment. As part of preparedness measures, 1,763 cyclone shelters have been identified and 2,907 control rooms established at district and mandal levels. A total of 3,185 nodal officers have been appointed to coordinate relief and emergency response efforts.
Mr. Fifteen NDRF teams have been deployed at vulnerable locations, including Kakinada, Amalapuram, Konaseema, Rajahmundry, Eluru, Narsapuram, Machilipatnam and Nakkapalli. Authorities have initiated evacuations from low-lying and vulnerable areas. Mr. Naidu further directed officials to evacuate residents from flood-prone areas and prioritise vulnerable groups. Officials have been directed to inspect relief shelters, including government schools and Roads and Buildings Department structures, and ensure the availability of drinking water and other essential facilities. (With Agency inputs)
Pregnant women expected to deliver in the coming week should be shifted to hospitals in advance, he said, noting that transportation could be disrupted once the cyclone began affecting the State. The Chief Minister also said agencies must be prepared to restore mobile communication networks immediately in the event of disruption.
