The India Meteorological Department said late Tuesday that very severe cyclonic storm Arnab was approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast faster than previously expected. Its outer rain bands had begun interacting with land, according to the agency's coastal bulletin.
The bulletin placed the storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal, roughly 90 kilometres south-east of Kakinada at 5.30 pm IST on October 27. The IMD forecast a crossing between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to the south of Yanam, during the early hours of October 28.
Wind, rain and coastal flooding
At landfall, the agency forecast sustained winds of 125–135 km/h, with gusts reaching 150 km/h. It warned of widespread rain or thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls along the north Andhra coast and described sea conditions as very high to phenomenal.
The bulletin also warned that a storm surge of 1.5 to 2.5 metres above the astronomical tide could inundate low-lying parts of Andhra Pradesh. Higher surge levels were possible near Kakinada, Yanam and the Godavari river mouth.
What residents should do
People in affected districts should follow evacuation and shelter directions issued by district administrations, avoid coastal roads and beaches, and rely on the IMD and official disaster-management channels for updates. Forecast positions and wind estimates can change as a cyclone reaches land.
This page will be updated when the IMD issues a newer bulletin.
