Cyclone Arnab weakens after hitting Andhra Pradesh coast, with at least three dead

Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast early on Wednesday 28 October as a very severe cyclonic storm and then weakened to a severe cyclonic storm after moving inland²³. At least three people were killed, according to Al Jazeera, which cited a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) official, Narendra Singh Bundela, who said Andhra Pradesh was the worst affected state². Officials told Reuters that two deaths were caused by a falling tree and by electrocution².

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) placed landfall on the stretch of coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, and Euronews reported winds of 125 to 135 km/h with gusts of up to 150 km/h¹. All India Radio described the landfall as being along the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast³. The storm had strengthened into a “very severe cyclonic storm” late on Tuesday¹.

Evacuations and damage

Reports differ on how many people were moved out. Euronews put the figure at nearly 100,000 across two states, about 50,000 in Andhra Pradesh and 48,000 in Odisha¹. Al Jazeera reported that about 180,000 people were evacuated from the two states the day before landfall². Authorities said more than 12 million people live along the expected path¹².

Authorities set up more than 2,000 cyclone shelters in 20 districts, secured more than 30,000 fishing boats and deployed nearly 1,100 medical teams, Euronews reported¹. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said: “Protecting every life is our foremost priority”¹.

After landfall, trees fell onto highways and power supplies were disrupted². Mr Naidu wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah that at least 180 houses were destroyed and 220 trees brought down, Al Jazeera reported². Flights and trains were cancelled and some schools closed². The IMD had forecast a storm surge of up to 1.5 metres above tide level that was likely to flood low-lying areas of Andhra Pradesh².

Odisha stays on alert

All India Radio reported that the IMD expected the system to weaken into a deep depression and cross Malkangiri in Odisha on Wednesday evening³. The IMD forecast heavy to extremely heavy rain, gusty winds and possible sudden flooding in several southern districts, with Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri at particular risk of flash floods³. Fishermen were told not to go to sea, some train services were halted or limited, and bus services to southern Odisha were disrupted³. Odisha kept rescue teams on standby and set up shelters³.

Neighbouring countries

Sri Lanka closed schools and warned of flash floods and landslides, and Nepal warned tourists against high-altitude areas from Thursday to Saturday over fears of downpours, snowstorms and avalanches, Al Jazeera reported, adding that Reuters said trekking permits were suspended for three days².

The IMD had warned of severe damage to thatched homes, localised flooding, downed power and communication poles and widespread crop damage¹. The reports read for this article were published on 28 October, and the casualty and damage figures in them are early.