Cyclone Arnab landfall: UP CM Adityanath orders full alert, rain till Oct 31
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapur with gusts of 150 kmph, prompting UP CM Yogi Adityanath to place the entire state administration on alert. With rain and strong winds forecast in UP through 31 October, the inland impact of a Bay of Bengal cyclone is once again testing disaster-readiness far beyond the coast.
Key Takeaways
Cyclone Arnab made landfall near Narsapur, Andhra Pradesh between 2 am and 8 am on 28 October 2026 .
The IMD recorded maximum sustained winds of 125–135 kmph with gusts up to 150 kmph at landfall.
The cyclone weakened from a very severe to a severe cyclonic storm before crossing the coast.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath directed officials to keep relief and rescue operations ready, with heavy rain forecast across Uttar Pradesh from 28 to 31 October .
Special directions issued for protection of standing crops and livestock across affected UP districts.
The system is expected to move north-northwestwards and weaken gradually over 48 hours .
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on 28 October 2026 directed state officials to remain active on the ground and ensure public safety as Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, with rain and strong winds forecast across Uttar Pradesh from 28 to 31 October. The directive follows the cyclone's crossing of the AP coast near Narsapur in the early hours of Wednesday, bringing winds of up to 150 kmph.
UP on High Alert
Chief Minister Adityanath instructed district administrations to keep all relief and rescue preparations in place across potentially affected areas. Officials have been asked to continuously monitor weather conditions and take prompt action to prevent any loss of life during the adverse weather window.
The Relief Commissioner's Office has issued a formal advisory urging vigilance. Authorities have been directed to relocate residents to safer locations whenever necessary and ensure emergency response teams remain on standby throughout the forecast period.
Cyclone Arnab's Landfall: What the IMD Said
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts near Narsapur between 2 am and 8 am on Wednesday, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph and gusts reaching 150 kmph. The cyclone had weakened from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm before and during landfall, according to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA).
The IMD subsequently confirmed that the landfall process had been completed, with the cyclone's central region moving entirely over land. The system is expected to move north-northwestwards and weaken gradually over the following 48 hours.
Crop and Livestock Protection Ordered
Adityanath specifically directed officials to take special precautions for standing crops and livestock, which are at risk from the forecast rains and strong winds. Farmers across affected districts are to receive direct guidance from the administration on safeguarding their produce and animals — a significant concern given the agricultural belt that spans much of central and eastern UP.
This is notably the second consecutive October in which a Bay of Bengal cyclonic system has triggered statewide alert protocols in UP, underlining the increasing inland reach of coastal weather events.
Public Advisory
Residents of Uttar Pradesh have been advised to remain indoors during thunderstorms and periods of strong winds and to avoid unnecessary exposure to adverse weather. In Andhra Pradesh, heavy rainfall warnings remain in force for several districts even after the landfall process concluded. Authorities in both states have urged the public to stay alert and heed official advisories over the coming days.
Point of View
Not the endpoint. The fact that Uttar Pradesh, hundreds of kilometres from the Bay of Bengal, requires a Chief Ministerial directive and Relief Commissioner advisory reflects how far cyclonic systems are now disrupting agricultural hinterlands. Crop and livestock protection orders are telling: the economic damage from wind and rain in UP's farming districts could rival the coastal impact. Whether state administrations have the last-mile infrastructure to act on these directives — rather than merely issue them — is the accountability question that rarely gets asked after the weather clears.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Cyclone Arnab make landfall?
Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts near Narsapur between 2 am and 8 am on 28 October 2026. The IMD confirmed maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph with gusts reaching 150 kmph at the time of landfall.
How severe is Cyclone Arnab?
Cyclone Arnab weakened from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm before and during landfall. The IMD has confirmed the landfall process is complete, and the system is expected to weaken gradually over the next 48 hours as it moves north-northwestwards over land.
Why has Uttar Pradesh been placed on alert for Cyclone Arnab?
Rain and strong winds associated with Cyclone Arnab are forecast across Uttar Pradesh from 28 to 31 October. UP CM Yogi Adityanath has directed the state administration to prepare relief and rescue operations and protect standing crops and livestock from potential weather damage.
What precautions have been announced for UP residents?
Residents have been advised to stay in safe places during thunderstorms and strong winds and to avoid unnecessary exposure to adverse weather. The administration has also been directed to move people to safer locations when required and ensure emergency arrangements are in place.
Which areas of Andhra Pradesh face heavy rainfall warnings after the landfall?
Heavy rainfall warnings remain in force for several districts of Andhra Pradesh even after the landfall process concluded, according to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority. Authorities have urged residents across the state to stay alert and follow official advisories.
