Coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh are bracing for severe weather as Cyclone Arnab intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm late on October 26, 2026. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Amaravati reported that the storm upgraded from a severe cyclonic storm around 11:30 p.m. and continues to track west-northwestwards across the Westcentral Bay of Bengal toward the eastern Indian coastline.
According to The Hindu's coastal weather report, the center of the storm was tracked at 2:30 a.m. on October 27 approximately 300 km southeast of Visakhapatnam, 360 km east-southeast of Kakinada, and 380 km south of Gopalpur in Odisha. Meteorologists project that the system will maintain its course through the evening of October 27 before making landfall near Yanam during the forenoon of Wednesday, October 28.
Ground Impact and Precautionary Measures
Rainfall activity commenced across northern coastal districts overnight before expanding into central Andhra Pradesh. Data released by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics revealed that 41 monitoring stations in Srikakulam district logged light to moderate showers overnight, with Palasa recording the district's peak precipitation of 41 mm by 8:00 a.m. on October 27.
Municipal agencies have initiated proactive safety measures to reduce utility disruptions. In Vijayawada, municipal corporation electricity teams conducted preemptive branch-cutting operations along major arteries, including M.G. Road, to safeguard power transmission lines from high-velocity wind damage.
Cyclone Arnab Distance and Movement Matrix
| Location Marker | Distance from System Center (as of 2:30 a.m. Oct 27) | Direction to System |
|---|---|---|
| Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | 300 km | Southeast |
| Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh | 360 km | East-Southeast |
| Gopalpur, Odisha | 380 km | South |
| Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh | 460 km | East |
| Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh | 530 km | East |
| Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman Islands | 920 km | West-Northwest |
Atmospheric Outlook and Regional Advisory
Early morning weather alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department flagged sustained squally winds ranging from 50 to 60 kmph across Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, and Anakapalli districts. Thick cloud banks detected over northern coastal sectors indicate persistent downpours advancing inland through the remainder of the week.
Disaster management authorities advise fishermen to stay ashore and urge residents along vulnerable low-lying coastal stretches to follow local municipal advisories closely as the storm heads toward its projected landfall corridor near Yanam.
