Coastal regions across Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha faced severe storm conditions early on Wednesday as very severe cyclonic storm 'Arnab' began crossing the eastern coastline, triggering torrential downpours, sea surges, and widespread transit shutdowns.
According to bulletins issued by the India Meteorological Department, the landfall process commenced around 1:20 a.m. on October 28, 2026, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, tracking close to the south of Yanam. The storm carried sustained maximum wind speeds of 125 to 135 kmph, with localized gusts reaching up to 150 kmph, generating a destructive storm surge of 1 to 2 meters in low-lying coastal belts.
Large-Scale Evacuations and Civic Disruptions
State administration teams enacted preemptive safety protocols across vulnerable districts prior to the cyclone making landfall. In Andhra Pradesh, authorities moved nearly 89,000 residents from coastal Kakinada into 101 dedicated relief centers. Concurrently, neighboring Odisha initiated relocation measures targeting 48,000 residents residing along low-lying sectors.
Rising water levels breached coastal defenses early in the event, with sea waters flooding parts of Uppada near Kakinada. Civic authorities in Visakhapatnam closed all public beaches to visitors as municipal rain gauges logged over 100 mm of precipitation within hours.
Transit networks suffered acute disruption across the eastern rail corridor. Indian Railways confirmed the cancellation of at least 72 passenger and express trains traversing coastal tracks. Aviation operations faced similar setbacks as the Civil Aviation Ministry coordinated precautionary schedule adjustments, resulting in multiple flight cancellations and diversions at Visakhapatnam Airport.
| Operational Parameter | Observed / Forecasted Metric | Status / Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Wind Speeds | 125–135 kmph (Gusts to 150 kmph) | Landfall confirmed south of Yanam |
| Storm Surge Height | 1 to 2 meters | Inundation in low-lying areas like Uppada |
| Precipitation (Visakhapatnam) | Exceeded 100 mm | Localized urban waterlogging reported |
| Evacuations (Andhra Pradesh) | ~89,000 residents | Sheltered across 101 emergency relief camps |
| Evacuations (Odisha) | ~48,000 residents | Preventive relocations enacted |
| Rail Operations | 72 train services | Preemptively cancelled along coastal tracks |
Andhra Coast — verified documentary press visual.
Regional Vulnerability and Inland Path
Cyclonic events in the Bay of Bengal regularly impact the eastern seaboard due to the region's warm sea surface temperatures, atmospheric moisture funnels, and concave coastal geometry, which funnel strong surges directly into states like Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Meteorological projections indicate that the cyclonic system will continue to generate intense rainfall across adjoining inland regions. Red and orange alerts remain active, with heavy rainfall forecasts extending beyond coastal zones into parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh through late October, while disaster management teams monitor conditions heading toward Nepal.
