Cyclone Arnab: Andhra Pradesh evacuates coast as storm set to hit 28 October
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab is barrelling toward the Andhra Pradesh coast and is expected to make landfall near Yanam by the morning of 28 October with wind gusts up to 140 kmph. With 16 districts in its path, 2,460 villages under threat, and over 30,000 fishing boats already secured, this is shaping up as one of the most significant Bay of Bengal cyclones to strike the state's coast in recent years.
Key Takeaways
Cyclone Arnab intensified into a severe cyclonic storm on 26 October 2026 and is forecast to escalate into a very severe cyclonic storm within 12 hours .
Projected landfall: Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam , close to Yanam , by forenoon of 28 October 2026 , with winds of 115–125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph .
Impact expected across 16 districts , 2,460 revenue villages , and 92 urban areas .
SDRF and NDRF teams deployed in 11 districts ; 1,763 cyclone shelters and 2,907 control rooms activated.
All 30,043 fishing boats secured at harbours; 2,613 emergency water tankers on standby.
Beaches shut; coastal road movement to be suspended from Tuesday afternoon ; schools in affected areas closed.
Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have begun evacuating residents from low-lying and vulnerable coastal areas as cyclonic storm 'Arnab' intensified into a severe cyclonic storm on Monday, 26 October 2026, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning it is very likely to further intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before making landfall. Beaches have been shut to the public and movement on coastal roads is scheduled to be suspended from Tuesday afternoon.
IMD Tracking and Projected Landfall
According to the IMD bulletin issued on Monday night, cyclone Arnab was centred at 1730 hrs IST on 26 October over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal, approximately 490 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha), 490 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 560 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 660 km east of Machilipatnam, and 730 km east of Bapatla. The storm was moving west-northwestwards at 17 kmph during the past six hours.
The IMD bulletin stated: 'It is very likely to continue to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm over the same region during the next 12 hours. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards till evening of 27th October, and thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 115–125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph by forenoon of 28 October 2026.'
Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is forecast over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on 27 and 28 October.
Scale of Preparedness on the Ground
Preliminary assessments indicate the cyclone will significantly impact 16 districts, covering 2,460 revenue villages and 92 urban areas. The state government has identified 1,763 cyclone shelters and established 2,907 control rooms at district and mandal levels. A total of 3,185 nodal officers have been appointed to coordinate relief and emergency response activities.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across 11 districts. Evacuation operations are under way across 2,107 Swarna Grama and Swarna Ward units. Educational institutions in cyclone-affected areas have been declared closed as a precautionary measure.
Fishing Community and Essential Services
All fishermen who had ventured out to sea have reportedly returned, and all 30,043 fishing boats have been secured at harbours. To guard against drinking water shortages, 2,613 emergency water tankers have been kept on standby. Special medical arrangements have been made in cyclone-prone zones, and fire and emergency services personnel have been pre-positioned to clear fallen trees and restore road connectivity swiftly.
Coordination and Oversight
Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) Secretary Bhaskar Katamneni and CEO Prakhar Jain are continuously reviewing cyclone preparedness and coordinating with officials across departments. The government has stated its primary focus is on preventing loss of life and minimising property damage.
With landfall expected by the forenoon of 28 October, residents in the path of the storm are being urged to follow official evacuation advisories. The next 36 hours are considered critical as Arnab continues to intensify over the Bay of Bengal.
Point of View
185 nodal officers, 2,907 control rooms, and pre-deployed NDRF teams suggest lessons absorbed from past landfall events. Yet the real test, as always, is last-mile execution: whether the most vulnerable — daily-wage fishers, elderly residents in kutcha homes, and those in remote revenue villages — are actually reached before landfall. The 36-hour window between now and the forenoon of 28 October is the margin the administration has to work with. Arnab's track toward Yanam, a Union Territory enclave within Andhra Pradesh, also adds a jurisdictional coordination layer that will need watching.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Cyclone Arnab expected to make landfall?
Cyclone Arnab is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of 28 October 2026. The IMD expects it to arrive as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115–125 kmph and gusts up to 140 kmph.
What is the current intensity of Cyclone Arnab?
As of the IMD bulletin on Monday night, 26 October 2026, Arnab had intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and was centred about 490 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam in the Westcentral Bay of Bengal. It is forecast to intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm within 12 hours.
Which districts in Andhra Pradesh are at risk from Cyclone Arnab?
Preliminary assessments indicate the cyclone will significantly impact 16 districts, covering 2,460 revenue villages and 92 urban areas. SDRF and NDRF teams have been deployed across 11 districts, with evacuations under way in low-lying and coastal zones.
What precautions has the Andhra Pradesh government taken?
The government has activated 1,763 cyclone shelters, set up 2,907 control rooms, appointed 3,185 nodal officers, and deployed SDRF and NDRF teams across 11 districts. Beaches are closed, coastal road movement will be suspended from Tuesday afternoon, schools in affected areas have been shut, and 2,613 emergency water tankers have been kept on standby.
Are fishermen and fishing boats safe ahead of Cyclone Arnab?
According to official statements, all fishermen who had ventured into the sea have reportedly returned to shore, and all 30,043 fishing boats have been secured at harbours as a precautionary measure against the adverse weather conditions expected from the cyclone.
