Cyclone Arnab crosses Andhra coast near Narsapur, weakens to severe storm
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab struck the Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapur in the early hours of 28 October with wind gusts up to 150 kmph, before weakening post-landfall. Six districts remain under red alert with extremely heavy rain forecast, though officials have so far reported no casualties — a rare relief in a landfall of this intensity.
Key Takeaways
Cyclone Arnab made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapur between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. on 28 October .
Landfall occurred as a very severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 125–135 kmph , gusting to 150 kmph .
The storm weakened into a severe cyclonic storm post-landfall and is expected to further degrade into a deep depression within 12 hours .
Red alert issued for Anakapalli, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari and West Godavari districts.
Holidays declared for educational institutions in 15 high-alert districts ; crop and infrastructure damage reported but no loss of life .
Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapur on Wednesday, 28 October, before weakening into a severe cyclonic storm, according to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA). The landfall process was completed between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m., with the cyclone crossing the coast approximately 20 km east-northeast of Narsapur, 40 km southwest of Yanam, and 60 km southwest of Kakinada.
Landfall Details and Wind Speed
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone made landfall as a very severe cyclonic storm carrying maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph, gusting up to 150 kmph. The IMD confirmed the landfall process was fully completed with the storm's central region moving entirely inland. At 8.30 a.m., the system was centred over coastal Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, roughly 90 km east-northeast of Machilipatnam and 120 km southwest of Tuni.
Forecast: Further Weakening Expected
The IMD projected that Arnab would move north-northwestwards over the next 48 hours while gradually losing intensity. 'It is very likely to move north-northwestwards during the next 48 hours and weaken gradually. It will weaken into a Cyclonic Storm during the next 06 hours and further into a Deep Depression during subsequent 06 hours,' the department said in its bulletin. Despite the anticipated weakening, authorities have urged the public to remain alert.
Red Alerts, Rainfall, and Impact on Ground
The cyclone triggered heavy rains and gusty winds across coastal districts, with low-lying areas inundated and trees and electricity poles uprooted at multiple locations. Extremely heavy rainfall was forecast for Anakapalli, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, and West Godavari districts, all of which were placed under a red alert. The IMD also forecast very heavy rains in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Eluru, Krishna, and NTR districts, with heavy rains expected in Guntur, Bapatla, and SPSR Nellore. Officials reported no loss of life, though crop damage and disruption to civic infrastructure were recorded.
Government Response and Precautionary Measures
Prakhar Jain, Managing Director of APSDMA, urged the public to stay alert even after landfall, noting that heavy rainfall would continue across several districts through the day. Authorities declared a holiday for educational institutions in 15 high-alert districts. Disaster management teams remained deployed across the most vulnerable coastal zones as the weakening system continued to move inland.
With Arnab forecast to degrade further into a deep depression within hours, authorities will continue to monitor its trajectory and rainfall impact across interior Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states.
Point of View
But the real danger window is not yet closed — sustained heavy rainfall over already-saturated coastal districts poses flood and crop-damage risks that outlast the storm itself. The absence of fatalities so far reflects improved early-warning systems and pre-emptive evacuations, yet the test of Andhra Pradesh's disaster preparedness will come in the next 24–48 hours as the weakening system tracks inland and delivers its residual rainfall load. Infrastructure damage to power lines and crops signals economic costs that will take weeks to fully assess.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Cyclone Arnab make landfall?
Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapur on 28 October 2026, approximately 20 km east-northeast of Narsapur, 40 km southwest of Yanam, and 60 km southwest of Kakinada. The landfall process was completed between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. IST.
What was the wind speed during Cyclone Arnab's landfall?
The IMD recorded maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph with gusts reaching 150 kmph at the time of landfall, classifying Arnab as a very severe cyclonic storm. It subsequently weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after moving inland.
Which districts are under red alert due to Cyclone Arnab?
Red alerts have been issued for Anakapalli, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, and West Godavari districts, where extremely heavy rainfall is forecast. Very heavy rains are also expected in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, and several other districts.
Has Cyclone Arnab caused any deaths or major damage?
Officials reported no loss of life as of the latest update. However, the cyclone caused damage to crops and civic infrastructure, with low-lying areas inundated and trees and electricity poles uprooted across multiple coastal locations.
What is the forecast for Cyclone Arnab over the next 48 hours?
The IMD expects Arnab to move north-northwestwards and weaken gradually, downgrading to a cyclonic storm within 6 hours and further into a deep depression within 12 hours. The public has been advised to remain alert as heavy rainfall will persist across affected districts.
