Andhra Pradesh authorities initiated emergency mass evacuations across low-lying coastal belts on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, as severe cyclonic storm Arnab advanced toward the eastern coastline. Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan directed administrative bodies in Kakinada district to complete the relocation of vulnerable populations to designated relief centers before nightfall, prioritizing human safety ahead of anticipated severe weather conditions.
According to official meteorological assessments shared with the state administration via The Hindu, Cyclone Arnab is projected to make landfall near Yanam by Wednesday afternoon. Forecasts indicate the system will generate sustained wind speeds ranging between 115 and 125 kmph, with peak gusts touching 140 kmph. The system is also projected to trigger heavy downpours, flash floods, and a coastal storm surge reaching one to two meters in depth.
Targeted Mandals and Evacuation Scope
The evacuation directive covers over 15,000 residents distributed across 92 vulnerable habitations, including 50 direct coastal villages. Deputy Chief Minister Kalyan instructed teams to focus operations on six high-risk administrative zones: Thallarevu, U. Kothapalli, Kakinada Urban, Kakinada Rural, Karapa, and Tondangi.
Officials were ordered to prioritize families residing in thatched structures and structurally compromised buildings near the coastline. Relief shelters have been equipped with uninterrupted drinking water, staple food supplies, medical emergency kits, and backup power generators, with special care protocols outlined for infants, pregnant women, elderly citizens, and persons with disabilities.
| Parameter | Metric / Directive | Operational Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Expected Landfall | Wednesday Afternoon | Coastal region near Yanam |
| Sustained Wind Speeds | 115–125 kmph (Gusts to 140 kmph) | Coastal infrastructure and power lines |
| Storm Surge Height | 1 to 2 meters | Low-lying coastal settlements |
| Evacuation Scope | Over 15,000 individuals | 92 habitations across 6 vulnerable mandals |
| Inland Flood Watch | 41 villages across 8 mandals | Yeleru reservoir and drainage canals |
Infrastructure Safeguards and Inundation Controls
To prevent municipal paralysis, the state’s Energy Department dispatched specialized restoration squads to ensure uninterrupted electricity supplies to regional hospitals, major water-pumping schemes, and established relief facilities. Road-clearing vehicles, heavy excavators, and State Disaster Response teams have been positioned along primary transport corridors to clear potential blockages from uprooted trees.
Inland water monitoring remains a critical priority as well. The Deputy Chief Minister instructed irrigation engineers to enforce 24-hour surveillance over the Yeleru reservoir, local canals, and primary discharge drains. Precautionary flood warnings have been issued to 41 vulnerable villages across eight adjacent mandals susceptible to rapid reservoir overflow or drainage backflow.
