Cyclone Arnab: IMD heavy rain alert for 9 Jharkhand districts, schools shut
Synopsis
Severe cyclonic storm Arnab, packing gusts up to 150 kmph at landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast, has sent heavy rain and sharp temperature drops into Jharkhand — triggering IMD alerts for nine districts, school closures in Ranchi and Lohardaga, and the cancellation of at least six trains as the state administration races to get ahead of a potentially worsening situation.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has issued a heavy rainfall alert for nine Jharkhand districts — Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Bokaro, Seraikela-Kharsawan, and East and West Singhbhum — on 28 October 2026 .
Schools from KG to Class 12 have been shut in Ranchi and Lohardaga on 28 and 29 October as a precaution.
Cyclone Arnab made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast with sustained winds of 125–135 kmph and gusts up to 150 kmph .
Temperatures across Jharkhand are expected to fall by 3–4 degrees Celsius under the storm's influence.
At least half a dozen trains through or originating from Jharkhand have been cancelled by the Railways .
Ranchi DC Manjunath Bhajantri has placed the electricity control room and the Ranchi Municipal Corporation rapid response team on high alert.
Severe cyclonic storm Arnab, which made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast early on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, has triggered heavy rainfall across Jharkhand, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an alert for nine districts. Schools from kindergarten to Class 12 have been ordered shut in Ranchi and Lohardaga districts for 28 and 29 October as a precautionary measure.
Districts Under Alert
The IMD has warned of heavy rainfall in Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Bokaro, Seraikela-Kharsawan, and East and West Singhbhum districts. Temperatures across the state are expected to drop by approximately three to four degrees Celsius under the cyclone's influence.
Cloudy skies and rainfall have also been reported from Hazaribagh, Koderma, Chaibasa, Deoghar, and Giridih, with intermittent showers disrupting normal conditions since Wednesday morning.
Cyclone Arnab: Landfall Details
Cyclone Arnab struck the Andhra Pradesh coast early Wednesday, with the IMD forecasting the crossing south of Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. During landfall, sustained wind speeds were projected at 125–135 kmph, with gusts potentially reaching 150 kmph.
IMD scientist Abhishek Anand noted that Jharkhand's geography places the Singhbhum region in the cyclone's direct path first, after which rainfall and strong winds are expected to spread to other parts of the state depending on storm movement and intensity.
Administration on High Alert
Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri convened a meeting with officials from relevant departments and issued directions for preparedness. The electricity department's control room and the Ranchi Municipal Corporation's rapid response team have been placed on alert to address power supply disruptions and waterlogging without delay.
The Railways has cancelled at least half a dozen trains either originating from Jharkhand or passing through the state in anticipation of the cyclone's impact. Commuters have been urged to exercise caution on waterlogged roads.
Advisories for Residents and Farmers
The IMD and local administration have urged residents to remain vigilant, follow official weather warnings, and comply with local directives to minimise the risk of accidents. Farmers have been specifically advised to shift harvested crops and agricultural produce to safe, covered locations ahead of heavy rain and strong winds.
With the storm's track still evolving, authorities have cautioned that conditions could deteriorate further in the coming hours, and additional advisories may be issued.
Point of View
Catching interior administrations in a narrow response window. The school closures and train cancellations reflect a more proactive posture than past cycles, but the real test is last-mile alerting in tribal and forested belts like Singhbhum, where communication gaps have historically cost lives. Farmers facing unharvested kharif crops are the most exposed group and also the least likely to receive timely, actionable advisories. Whether the administration's preparedness machine reaches them before the worst of the winds is the question that matters most.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Jharkhand districts are under IMD heavy rainfall alert due to Cyclone Arnab?
The IMD has issued a heavy rainfall alert for nine districts: Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Bokaro, Seraikela-Kharsawan, and East and West Singhbhum. Rainfall and cloudy skies have also been reported in Hazaribagh, Koderma, Chaibasa, Deoghar, and Giridih.
Are schools closed in Jharkhand because of Cyclone Arnab?
Yes, authorities have ordered the suspension of classes from kindergarten to Class 12 in Ranchi and Lohardaga districts on 28 and 29 October 2026 as a precautionary measure against the heavy rainfall and strong winds associated with Cyclone Arnab.
Where did Cyclone Arnab make landfall and how intense is it?
Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast early on 28 October, crossing south of Yanam between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. Sustained winds during landfall were projected at 125–135 kmph, with gusts potentially reaching 150 kmph.
How are trains affected by Cyclone Arnab in Jharkhand?
The Railways has cancelled at least half a dozen trains originating from or passing through Jharkhand as a precautionary measure. Commuters have been urged to check updated schedules and exercise caution on waterlogged roads.
What should farmers in Jharkhand do ahead of Cyclone Arnab?
The authorities have advised farmers to shift harvested crops and agricultural produce to safe, covered locations immediately to protect them from expected heavy rain and strong winds. Residents are also urged to follow official IMD warnings and local administration instructions.
