Cyclone Arnab Makes Landfall in AP: Damage, Evacuations & Govt Response

Cyclone Arnab made landfall near Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district around 3 am on October 28, bringing heavy rain and destructive winds to the state’s coastal belt. The very severe cyclonic storm affected eight districts, uprooted trees, damaged electricity infrastructure and disrupted transport. More than 84,000 people had been moved to relief shelters in Andhra Pradesh by Wednesday morning. Although no casualties had been reported at the time of the initial assessment, flooding and damage to homes and infrastructure remained concerns.

How did Cyclone Arnab develop?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) began tracking Arnab as a deep depression over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. It intensified into a cyclonic storm on October 26, when it was around 650 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam. The system subsequently strengthened and moved towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. By October 27, it had intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, with the IMD forecasting sustained winds of 115–125 km/h and gusts reaching 140 km/h during landfall.

The landfall process began in the early hours of October 28, with the storm crossing the coast near Narsapur. The IMD reported that the cyclone’s centre remained close to the coastline as the crossing continued. Authorities warned that strong winds, heavy rainfall and a possible storm surge could affect low-lying coastal settlements.
Which areas were affected?

The districts bearing the brunt of the storm included Polavaram, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, NTR and Krishna. Kakinada, Konaseema and West Godavari experienced gusty winds of 125–135 km/h. Heavy rain also affected the northern coastal belt, including Visakhapatnam and neighbouring districts.

Rainfall observations showed the scale of the weather system. Visakhapatnam recorded 216.9 mm between 8.30 am on October 27 and 5.30 am on October 28, while Kalingapatnam recorded 147.5 mm, Tuni 123.3 mm, Kakinada 118.4 mm and Machilipatnam 115.2 mm during the same period. The storm also affected Yanam, part of the Union Territory of Puducherry. Southern Odisha experienced heavy rain, while Jharkhand and parts of West Bengal were also affected by the wider weather system.

What damage has been reported?

Early reports from Andhra Pradesh described uprooted trees, fallen electricity poles, damaged roads and widespread power outages. Sections of National Highway 216 near Yanam were blocked, while transport services were disrupted across the coastal corridor. In Kakinada, police rescued people stranded by floodwaters. Low-lying settlements faced the additional risk of seawater inundation as strong winds and rough seas accompanied the heavy rain.

The agricultural impact could also be significant. AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has been quoted saying that standing crops across approximately 7.16 lakh hectares and horticultural crops covering 16 lakh hectares can potentially be affected. These figures indicate the area exposed to the storm, not confirmed crop losses. A complete assessment of damage to homes, infrastructure and agriculture was still pending on October 28. (The Indian Express)

What is the government doing?

Preparations began before landfall. On October 26, the National Crisis Management Committee reviewed the response plans of the Centre and affected states. The state government said evacuation arrangements, shelters and district control rooms were in place, with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams on standby. The armed forces and Coast Guard were also prepared to assist with rescue and relief operations.

In Andhra Pradesh, Naidu held a meeting with 32000 personnel and directed officials to clear fallen trees, restore electricity, protect irrigation tanks and canals, and ensure that relief shelters had adequate food, drinking water and medical facilities. Drones were kept ready to deliver essential supplies to inundated villages, while nearly 5,000 pregnant women were moved to health centres and hospitals as a precaution.

Transport restrictions were another part of the response. Flights were cancelled at Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, and railway services were disrupted. Odisha closed schools in several districts and prepared shelters as its southern regions experienced heavy rain and strong winds.

What happens next?

The completion of landfall does not immediately end the danger. Heavy rain can continue inland, increasing the risk of flooding, while damaged electricity networks and blocked roads can delay the return to normal life. Andhra Pradesh’s immediate priorities are restoring essential services, clearing transport routes and assessing agricultural and infrastructure losses. Telangana and other inland states must monitor rainfall-related risks as the system weakens.

The final impact of Cyclone Arnab will depend on the damage assessments completed in the coming days. For now, the scale of evacuations and the disruption across coastal Andhra Pradesh underline the importance of preparedness even before the full extent of a cyclone’s damage becomes clear.

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