Cyclone Arnab Hits India’s East Coast: Over 180,000 Evacuated as Storm Weakens

Cyclone Arnab has made landfall on India’s east coast, forcing more than 180,000 people to evacuate from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The storm crossed the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast early on Wednesday morning, bringing heavy rain and winds of 125 to 135 kilometres per hour, with gusts up to 150 kilometres per hour.

No loss of life has been reported in either state so far, officials said, although trees crashed onto highways, electricity poles were uprooted and power supplies were disrupted. Some schools were closed and some train and flight services were cancelled. Operations at three Andhra Pradesh airports were suspended.

Mass evacuations

Andhra Pradesh evacuated more than 84,000 people to 290 shelters, while Odisha evacuated over 30,000 people, with its southern districts on high alert. Nearly 5,000 pregnant women were shifted to health centres and hospitals, and more than 30,000 fishing boats returned to shore.

Storm weakening

The India Meteorological Department said the cyclone, classified as a very severe cyclonic storm, weakened after landfall and is expected to weaken further into a deep depression. West Bengal is now bracing for heavy rainfall and strong winds until October 31, and Odisha remains on high alert.

Recovery work begins

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed around 32,000 officials and field staff to clear fallen trees and restore road traffic within two hours, and asked officials to assess crop damage. Crops across 7.16 lakh hectares and horticultural crops over 16 lakh hectares could be affected.

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