Cyclone Arnab: Andhra CM Naidu orders coastal evacuation ahead of Oct 28 landfall
Synopsis
Severe cyclonic storm Arnab is barreling toward the Andhra Pradesh coast, expected to make landfall near Yanam on October 28. With 11 districts in its path, CM Chandrababu Naidu has put the state on full emergency footing — evacuating vulnerable communities, deploying NDRF and SDRF teams, and securing 30,043 fishing boats — in a race against the clock.
Key Takeaways
Severe cyclonic storm Arnab is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam on 28 October 2026 .
Chandrababu Naidu has ordered evacuation of residents from flood-prone and low-lying areas to cyclone shelters.
4,711 pregnant women across the state are being shifted to health centres ahead of the storm.
7 NDRF and 8 SDRF teams deployed across 11 vulnerable districts ; additional forces on standby in NTR and Visakhapatnam .
All 30,043 fishing boats have been safely returned to harbours; fishermen barred from venturing into the sea.
Horticultural crops across approximately 1.82 lakh hectares are at risk; Agriculture Department directed to take protective action.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday, 27 October 2026, directed authorities across coastal districts to implement emergency precautionary measures as severe cyclonic storm 'Arnab' is forecast to make landfall near Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, on 28 October. The state government has activated its full disaster response machinery to prevent loss of life and property.
Cyclone Track and Rainfall Forecast
Meteorological officials briefed the Chief Minister that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected across districts from Srikakulam to Nellore beginning Tuesday afternoon, with strong coastal winds accompanying the system. Conditions are forecast to deteriorate sharply on 28 and 29 October, when heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is likely to lash North Coastal Andhra districts, including Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam, and Nellore.
Evacuation and Vulnerable Population Priorities
Chief Minister Naidu directed that residents of flood-prone and low-lying areas be moved to cyclone shelters immediately. He specifically stressed that elderly persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and infants must receive top priority during relocation. Officials confirmed that arrangements are underway to shift 4,711 identified pregnant women across the state to Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, and hospitals.
Disaster Response Forces and Rescue Coordination
The state has deployed seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and eight State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams across 11 vulnerable districts, with additional forces placed on standby in NTR and Visakhapatnam districts. Naidu instructed officials to coordinate with the Marine Police, Navy, and Coast Guard to ensure their availability for rescue and relief operations. Medical teams and ambulances have been ordered to remain on standby at health centres in all affected districts.
Fishermen, Agriculture, and Infrastructure Measures
All fishermen who had ventured into the sea have been brought back safely, with 30,043 boats secured at harbours. Naidu directed that no fishermen venture back to sea until the storm weakens and normal conditions return. On the agricultural front, the Agriculture Department has been instructed to move harvested paddy to safe locations and take precautionary steps to protect horticultural crops spread across approximately 1.82 lakh hectares that are at risk. Officials also noted that the Tandava, Raiwada, Yeleru, Tammileru, Yerrakalava, and Tadipudi reservoirs could fill to their full storage capacities, prompting directives to keep streams, rivulets, and canals free of obstructions.
Essential Services and Misinformation Crackdown
Naidu directed officials to ensure adequate stocks of essential commodities at ration shops and to restore electricity supply immediately wherever disruptions occur. District collectors have been instructed to take strict action against attempts to spread misinformation about the cyclone through social media. The Chief Minister also asked officials to assess the likely impact on individual areas and declare holidays for educational institutions wherever necessary. Naidu directed that the Central Government be kept informed of all precautionary measures being taken by the state. The next 48 hours will be critical as the cyclone approaches the coast.
Point of View
Where inadequate early evacuation of vulnerable groups — particularly pregnant women and the elderly — led to avoidable casualties. Naidu's specific directive to prioritise these groups, backed by a verified count of 4,711 pregnant women being shifted to health facilities, signals a more data-driven approach than previous cyclone responses. However, the real test lies in execution: 11 districts face simultaneous impact, and the capacity of NDRF and SDRF teams across that geography will be stretched. The misinformation crackdown directive is also telling — in past cyclone events in coastal Andhra, panic driven by social media rumours has complicated rescue operations as much as the storms themselves.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Cyclone Arnab expected to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh?
Cyclone Arnab is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, on 28 October 2026. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in North Coastal Andhra and several other districts on 28 and 29 October.
Which districts in Andhra Pradesh will be most affected by Cyclone Arnab?
The districts most at risk include Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam, and Nellore, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected from Srikakulam to Nellore starting Tuesday afternoon.
What precautions has the Andhra Pradesh government taken ahead of Cyclone Arnab?
The state has deployed 7 NDRF and 8 SDRF teams across 11 vulnerable districts, ordered evacuation of residents from flood-prone areas, arranged to shift 4,711 pregnant women to health facilities, recalled 30,043 fishing boats, and put medical teams and ambulances on standby.
Are fishermen safe ahead of Cyclone Arnab's landfall?
Yes, all fishermen who had ventured into the sea have been brought back safely, with 30,043 boats secured at harbours. CM Naidu has directed that fishermen should not return to sea until the cyclone weakens and normal conditions are restored.
What is the impact of Cyclone Arnab on agriculture in Andhra Pradesh?
Horticultural crops across approximately 1.82 lakh hectares are at risk from the storm. CM Naidu has directed the Agriculture Department to move harvested paddy to safe locations and take precautionary measures to protect standing crops before landfall.
