Cyclone Arnab Batters Eastern India, Over 1.8 Lakh Evacuated as Heavy Rain Threatens Multiple States

Cyclone Arnab continued to disrupt life across eastern India on Wednesday, October 28, bringing torrential rain, damaging winds and transport disruptions. Although the storm weakened after making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast, the threat of flooding, landslides and further heavy rainfall remained high across several states.

Andhra Pradesh bore the brunt of the cyclone as it crossed the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam with sustained winds of 125-135 kmph and gusts of up to 150 kmph. Reports of casualties, uprooted trees, damaged electric poles, blocked roads and power disruptions emerged from affected districts. More than 84,000 people were evacuated in one state-level update, while restoration teams worked to clear roads and restore electricity. The Uppada coastal road was among the infrastructure affected.

In Odisha, more than 30,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas as heavy to extremely heavy rainfall battered southern districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur. Mahendragarh in Gajapati recorded 249.9 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. The state prepared 2,037 cyclone shelters and deployed 313 response teams. Schools and anganwadi centres remained closed in 16 districts, while more than 50 trains were reported cancelled along the eastern coast.

West Bengal faced further heavy rain, with coastal and western districts expected to receive downpours until Friday morning and parts of the sub-Himalayan region until Saturday. Kolkata recorded 19.1 mm of overnight rainfall, while flight and train services were disrupted. Fishermen were advised against venturing into the sea.

The cyclone's wider weather influence raised concerns in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh, where forecasts warned of heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. Parts of northeastern India and the Himalayan region were also covered by weather alerts, although widespread direct damage from Arnab was not established in these areas.

Relief operations were intensified, with the Indian Air Force deploying two C-130J aircraft to transport 23 tonnes of NDRF relief supplies to Vijayawada.

The IMD forecast that Arnab would move north-northwestwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm and then a deep depression. Despite its weakening, heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides remained serious risks, particularly in southern Odisha and neighbouring areas. Casualty figures and damage assessments remained provisional as authorities continued emergency operations.