Cyclone Arnab landfall Oct 28: Rain, thunderstorms alert for Rajasthan
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab is set to strike the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October — and while the landfall is far from Rajasthan, its downstream push of easterly winds, combined with an arriving western disturbance, is enough to trigger yellow alerts across 31 districts. The state faces thunderstorms, lightning, and 40 km/h gusts from 29–31 October, before conditions clear on 1 November.
Key Takeaways
Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab is forecast to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of 28 October .
A western disturbance active on 29–30 October will bring rain, thunderstorms, and winds of 30–40 km/h to eastern Rajasthan.
A yellow alert has been issued for 31 Rajasthan districts on 29–30 October , warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusts up to 40 km/h .
A separate yellow alert covers 8 districts for 31 October ; dry weather is expected from 1 November .
Barmer logged Rajasthan's highest maximum temperature on Monday at 37.8°C ; Sikar recorded the lowest minimum at 12.2°C .
Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab, which has formed over the west-central Bay of Bengal, is highly likely to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of 28 October, according to the Meteorological Department. After landfall, the system is expected to re-emerge over the sea, move northward, and gradually weaken — but not before its downstream effects reshape weather patterns across Rajasthan for several days.
How Cyclone Arnab Will Affect Rajasthan
The developing system is expected to significantly strengthen easterly winds across much of Rajasthan in the coming days. Compounding the impact, a western disturbance is forecast to become active on 29–30 October, bringing cloudy skies, rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds to several parts of the state.
In eastern Rajasthan, the Bharatpur, Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, and Udaipur divisions may experience light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and winds reaching speeds of 30–40 km/h on 29–30 October. Light rain is also possible in some eastern parts of the Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions. Most border areas, however, are likely to remain predominantly dry.
Yellow Alert for 31 Districts on October 29–30
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for 29–30 October covering 31 districts: Ajmer, Alwar, Banswara, Baran, Beawar, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Dausa, Deeg, Dholpur, Dungarpur, Jaipur, Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu, Karauli, Khairthal-Tijara, Kota, Kotputli-Behror, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Salumbar, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar, Tonk, Udaipur, Churu, Didwana-Kuchaman, Nagaur, and Pali. The alert warns of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of up to 40 km/h.
A separate yellow alert has been issued for thunderstorms and lightning in eight districts on 31 October. Rain is also forecast in the Jaipur, Kota, and Bharatpur divisions on that date. Weather is expected to return to dry conditions across Rajasthan on 1 and 2 November.
Forecast District-by-District
The Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall across the Ajmer, Jaipur, Kota, Bharatpur, Udaipur, Bikaner, and Jodhpur divisions on 29 and 30 October. Residents in affected areas are advised to monitor official weather updates and take precautions during periods of thunderstorms and strong winds.
Current Temperatures Across the State
According to Meteorological Department data, weather conditions remained dry and sunny across Rajasthan on Monday, with temperatures varying considerably between districts. Barmer recorded the highest maximum temperature at 37.8°C. Other notable maximums included Jodhpur and Jawai in Pali at 36.4°C, Jalore at 35.9°C, Dungarpur and Jaisalmer at 35.5°C, Chittorgarh at 35.2°C, Phalodi at 34.6°C, Kota at 34.3°C, and Udaipur at 34.0°C. Sikar recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 12.2°C.
Political Aside: Gehlot Raises Temple Oil Supply Concern
In a separate development, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticised what he described as a reported shortage of oil used for lighting lamps in temples across the state. Referring to the reported lighting of 3.3 million earthen lamps (diyas) on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, Gehlot reportedly questioned whether temples were being adequately supplied, alleging that religious institutions in Rajasthan were struggling to obtain even two litres of oil for lighting purposes.
With the twin influence of Cyclone Arnab's landfall and an approaching western disturbance, Rajasthan residents should brace for a markedly different weather picture from 29 October onwards — and watch official forecasts closely as conditions evolve.
Point of View
But the real story for inland India is how a Bay of Bengal storm reshapes moisture corridors hundreds of kilometres away. Rajasthan — more associated with desert aridity than cyclone-linked rainfall — is now facing alerts across 31 districts, a reminder that India's weather systems do not respect geographic intuition. The convergence of cyclone-driven easterly winds and a western disturbance in the same 48-hour window is a relatively uncommon double trigger, and the Meteorological Department's yellow alerts suggest it is being taken seriously. Citizens and local administrations in the affected divisions should treat this as a genuine preparedness window, not a routine seasonal forecast.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will Cyclone Arnab make landfall?
Cyclone Arnab is highly likely to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of 28 October, according to the Meteorological Department. After landfall, the system is expected to re-emerge over the sea, move northward, and gradually weaken.
Which parts of Rajasthan will be affected by Cyclone Arnab?
Eastern Rajasthan will bear the brunt, with the Bharatpur, Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, and Udaipur divisions forecast to see light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms on 29–30 October. Some eastern areas of the Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions may also receive light rain, while most border areas remain dry.
What is the yellow alert issued for Rajasthan?
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for 31 districts across Rajasthan for 29–30 October, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching up to 40 km/h. A separate yellow alert for 8 districts has also been issued for 31 October.
When will the weather return to normal in Rajasthan?
According to the Meteorological Department, weather conditions across Rajasthan are expected to return to dry and settled conditions on 1 and 2 November, after the combined impact of Cyclone Arnab and the western disturbance dissipates.
How are the high temperatures in Rajasthan expected to change?
On Monday, Barmer recorded the highest maximum temperature at 37.8°C while Sikar recorded the lowest minimum at 12.2°C, reflecting the prevailing dry and sunny conditions. The forecast rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds from 29 October are likely to bring temperatures down across affected divisions.
