Cyclone Arnab outer band hits Andhra coast, landfall by 2-4 am on Oct 28
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab is no longer just offshore — its outer band has already hit land, and a full landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam is hours away. With winds gusting to 150 kmph, 30 cm of rain forecast in Srikakulam, and over 84,000 people already in shelters, Andhra Pradesh is bracing for one of its most intense storm landfalls in recent years.
Key Takeaways
The outer spiral band of very severe cyclonic storm Arnab has entered the Andhra Pradesh coast as of Tuesday night, 27 October 2026 .
Complete landfall is expected between 2 am and 4 am on 28 October , between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam , close to south of Yanam .
Maximum sustained winds of 125–135 kmph , gusting to 150 kmph , are forecast at landfall.
84,396 people have been evacuated to 290 shelters ; NDRF , SDRF , Navy , and Coast Guard are on alert.
Heaviest rainfall expected in Srikakulam (up to 30 cm ), West Godavari (up to 28 cm ), and Visakhapatnam (up to 23 cm ).
More than 30,000 fishing boats have been brought ashore; coastal residents urged to move to cyclone shelters immediately.
The outer spiral band of very severe cyclonic storm Arnab has entered the Andhra Pradesh coast, with the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) confirming on Tuesday night that complete landfall is expected between 2 am and 4 am on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. The storm is set to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to the south of Yanam, with maximum sustained winds of 125–135 kmph gusting up to 150 kmph.
Where Arnab Stands Right Now
According to the latest bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Arnab was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal at 5:30 pm IST on 27 October, approximately 90 km southeast of Kakinada, 170 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam, 170 km east-northeast of Machilipatnam, 240 km east-northeast of Bapatla, and 410 km southwest of Gopalpur, Odisha. The system had been moving west-northwestwards at 18 kmph over the previous six hours.
The IMD noted that Arnab is likely to continue moving nearly west-northwestwards before turning northwestwards into the coast. The department had earlier flagged that the cyclone was advancing faster than anticipated, prompting an earlier projected landfall window.
Rainfall, Wind and Storm Surge Warnings
APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain said heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue until Wednesday morning. Since 8:30 am on Tuesday, very heavy rains have been recorded at 28 locations, while heavy rainfall was logged at 133 places. Authorities warn that Srikakulam could receive up to 30 cm of rain, West Godavari up to 28 cm, and Visakhapatnam up to 23 cm.
Districts expected to face the most severe impact include Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, Manyam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, and Kakinada. Seawater is likely to inundate low-lying coastal areas, and residents of coastal villages, island settlements, and flood-prone zones are being urged to immediately move to designated cyclone shelters.
What the Government Has Done
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu appealed to residents to remain calm and strictly follow government advisories. He confirmed that the cyclone has been placed in the red category but stressed there was no cause for panic. 290 cyclone shelters have been activated, and 84,396 people have already been evacuated. State- and district-level control rooms are operational round the clock, with hourly cyclone warning bulletins being issued.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Navy, and Coast Guard have been deployed and placed on high alert. More than 30,000 fishing boats have been brought back to shore. In Gopalpur, 93 boats belonging to Andhra Pradesh, along with their crews, have been confirmed safe.
Districts in the Danger Zone
Naidu said moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by strong coastal winds is likely from Srikakulam to Krishna district. The cyclone's path puts the stretch from Srikakulam to Bapatla in the direct impact zone. Several areas are expected to receive more than 10 cm of rainfall, with extremely heavy precipitation forecast for isolated pockets.
This is a rapidly evolving situation. As Arnab makes landfall in the early hours of Wednesday, authorities are urging all residents in vulnerable coastal zones to remain indoors and stay connected to official updates.
Point of View
And the landfall zone — the densely populated coastal stretch between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam — leaves little margin for error. The evacuation of over 84,000 people is significant, but the true test is whether those in island settlements and remote coastal villages have actually been reached. Andhra Pradesh has historically faced the double burden of cyclone frequency and delayed last-mile evacuation; the red-category classification and hourly bulletins suggest the administration is not underestimating the threat. What happens in the next six hours will determine the human cost.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Cyclone Arnab make landfall in Andhra Pradesh?
Cyclone Arnab is expected to make complete landfall between 2 am and 4 am on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. The IMD noted faster-than-anticipated movement, which brought forward the projected landfall window.
Where exactly will Cyclone Arnab cross the coast?
The IMD projects Arnab will cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to the south of Yanam. Districts from Srikakulam to Bapatla are in the direct impact zone.
What wind speeds are expected during Cyclone Arnab's landfall?
Arnab is classified as a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained winds of 125–135 kmph and gusts reaching up to 150 kmph at landfall. Coastal areas will also face heavy to very heavy rainfall and possible storm surge.
How many people have been evacuated ahead of Cyclone Arnab?
As of Tuesday night, 84,396 people have been shifted to 290 cyclone shelters across the affected districts. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu confirmed that state and district control rooms are operating round the clock.
Which districts in Andhra Pradesh will be worst affected by Cyclone Arnab?
Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, Manyam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, and Kakinada districts are expected to face the greatest impact. Rainfall totals of up to 30 cm in Srikakulam, 28 cm in West Godavari, and 23 cm in Visakhapatnam are forecast.
