Cyclone Arnab red alert: Andhra, Odisha brace as storm to hit Oct 28
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab is bearing down on the Andhra–Odisha coast with less than 48 hours to landfall. With winds forecast at up to 140 kmph and an IMD red alert in place, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has activated NDRF and SDRF teams — but the race to evacuate coastal districts before the storm makes landfall near Visakhapatnam on the morning of 28 October is now critical.
Key Takeaways
The IMD issued a red alert for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on 26 October as a deep depression intensified into Cyclone Arnab over the Bay of Bengal .
Landfall is projected between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of 28 October as a very severe cyclonic storm.
Maximum sustained winds of 115–125 kmph , gusting to 140 kmph , are forecast at landfall.
Districts on high alert include Kakinada , Visakhapatnam , Anakapalli , Konaseema , and East Godavari .
10 NDRF and 11 SDRF teams have been deployed; Chief Minister N.
Chandrababu Naidu has reviewed evacuation and relief arrangements.
Strong winds expected along the coast from the morning of 27 October — a full day before landfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday, 26 October issued a red alert for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha after a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclone Arnab, with a landfall projected between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of 28 October. The storm is expected to strike as a very severe cyclonic storm, packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 115–125 kmph with gusts reaching 140 kmph.
Where Cyclone Arnab Stands Now
As of 5:30 am IST on 26 October, Cyclone Arnab lay centred over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal — approximately 590 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman Islands), 610 km southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha), and 650 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam. The system was moving nearly westwards at 15 kmph at the time of the bulletin.
According to the IMD, the storm is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by midnight on 26 October, and further into a very severe cyclonic storm by 27 October, before making landfall on 28 October. The track is expected to shift northwestwards ahead of landfall.
Districts on High Alert
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has described the next three days as 'extremely critical.' Coastal districts facing the highest risk include Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema, and East Godavari, along with other parts of North Andhra and the central coastal belt.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast across North Andhra and central coastal districts on 27 and 28 October, with isolated areas potentially recording extremely heavy rain. Strong winds are expected to begin affecting coastal zones as early as the morning of 27 October — a full day before the projected landfall.
Government Response and Deployment
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday reviewed disaster preparedness, covering the evacuation of people from vulnerable areas, the establishment of relief centres, and arrangements for food, drinking water, medical care, and power restoration. He directed all government departments to work in coordination to tackle Cyclone Arnab.
APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain appealed to people to strictly follow safety precautions. The state has mobilised 10 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 11 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) for relief operations.
What Comes Next
This is the first named cyclonic storm to threaten the Andhra–Odisha coastline in the 2026 post-monsoon season. The Bay of Bengal has historically generated some of India's most destructive cyclones, with the Andhra coast among the most vulnerable stretches. Authorities are racing against a narrow window — less than 48 hours — to complete evacuations and pre-position resources before landfall. Residents in coastal districts have been urged not to venture near the sea and to follow official advisories closely as the storm intensifies.
Point of View
And the real test is whether the evacuation of low-lying coastal communities — historically the most underprepared segment — keeps pace with the storm's acceleration. Andhra Pradesh has invested significantly in disaster infrastructure since the devastation of Cyclone Hudhud in 2014, but 'preparedness reviews' at the chief-minister level matter only if last-mile execution reaches fishing hamlets and vulnerable delta settlements that official bulletins rarely name. The IMD's track record on Bay of Bengal cyclone predictions has improved markedly, but the forecast range of landfall — spanning from Bapatla to Visakhapatnam, a stretch of over 200 km — leaves room for costly miscalculation in resource pre-positioning.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cyclone Arnab and where is it expected to make landfall?
Cyclone Arnab is a cyclonic storm that formed from a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal on 26 October 2026. It is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of 28 October as a very severe cyclonic storm.
What wind speeds are forecast when Cyclone Arnab hits the coast?
The IMD forecasts maximum sustained wind speeds of 115–125 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 140 kmph, at the time of landfall near the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October.
Which districts in Andhra Pradesh are at highest risk from Cyclone Arnab?
Districts on high alert include Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema, and East Godavari, along with other parts of North Andhra and the central coastal region. Heavy to very heavy — and potentially extremely heavy — rainfall is expected on 27 and 28 October.
What preparations has the Andhra Pradesh government made ahead of the cyclone?
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed evacuation and relief arrangements on Sunday. The state has deployed 10 NDRF teams and 11 SDRF teams, and APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain has urged residents to strictly follow safety precautions.
When will Cyclone Arnab's impact begin to be felt on the Andhra coast?
Strong winds are expected to begin affecting coastal areas from the morning of 27 October — a full day before the projected landfall on 28 October. Residents in coastal districts have been advised to stay away from the sea and follow official safety guidelines.
