Cyclone Arnab made landfall on India's Andhra Pradesh coast during the early hours of Wednesday. The storm, which had intensified over the Bay of Bengal, triggered extensive evacuations across the eastern state throughout the previous day. Prakhar Jain, head of the state’s disaster management authority, reported that the cyclone weakened slightly before reaching the coast but still delivered heavy to very heavy rainfall, resulting in widespread disruption across multiple districts.
By late Wednesday morning, state disaster management officials confirmed that wind speeds reached up to 135 kph (84 mph). The India Meteorological Department stated that the landfall process is now complete, though heavy rain and strong winds are expected to persist in coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and portions of southern Odisha. The cyclone has been downgraded to a "severe" cyclonic storm and is projected to lose more intensity as it tracks further inland.
While no immediate casualties have been reported, officials noted that some damage has occurred. In preparation for the storm, authorities had placed all coastal districts on high alert and initiated the evacuation of residents from flood-prone and low-lying areas. According to official statements, at least 89,000 people have been evacuated so far. The state disaster management authority estimates that over 12 million people reside along the projected path of the cyclone.
To manage the emergency, authorities established more than 2,000 cyclone shelters across 20 districts and deployed nearly 1,100 medical teams to provide assistance. Additionally, emergency alerts were broadcast to the mobile phones of millions of residents, and over 30,000 fishing boats were secured to prevent damage. In response to the severe conditions, some train services were canceled. Neighboring Odisha state also prepared for the impact, with officials planning to evacuate approximately 48,000 people from areas expected to be affected by the storm's influence.
