Cyclone Arnab makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh; thousands evacuated

Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Wednesday, bringing gusts of 125 to 135 kilometres per hour to the Kakinada, Konaseema and West Godavari districts, with strong winds expected to continue for approximately three hours. The storm caused trees to be uprooted and disrupted power supply across affected areas. According to reports, at least three people died as a result of the cyclone.

Authorities had evacuated 84,000 people to safer locations ahead of the cyclone's arrival, according to the state government, while another source reported 180,000 people evacuated as the storm caused flooding and widespread disruption. Fifteen teams of the National Disaster Response Force were deployed in advance, and the Konaseema–Yanam–Kakinada coastal belt was among the areas closely monitored for a possible landfall.

The state's disaster preparedness included activating cyclone shelters across vulnerable districts and closing schools in 16 coastal districts, with 609 schools repurposed as relief shelters. According to reports, 17,054 volunteers from the National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme and Scouts organisations were mobilised to assist. Three thousand pregnant women were placed under watch ahead of the landfall.

Aviation authorities suspended operations at three Andhra Pradesh airports as the cyclone intensified, and train services were also cancelled. The Kakinada coast had been described as gripped by fear as residents braced for the storm's impact, with heavy rainfall and strong winds forecast across several coastal districts.

The cyclone's effects extended beyond Andhra Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department warned of rain, thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds across several parts of Chhattisgarh state under the cyclone's influence, leading to school closures in Raipur.

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka offered assistance to Andhra Pradesh Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, assuring him of personnel and materials to help restore power infrastructure damaged by the cyclone.