Cyclone Arnab Approaches India's East Coast as Heavy Rain Alerts Expand

India's east coast is preparing for dangerous weather as Cyclone Arnab moves across the Bay of Bengal toward Andhra Pradesh, with forecasters warning of damaging winds and heavy rainfall in neighbouring Odisha as well.

The India Meteorological Department said on Monday, October 26, that the system was expected to intensify further before crossing the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on Wednesday morning, October 28. The agency forecast sustained winds of 115–125 kilometres per hour at landfall, with gusts reaching 140 kilometres per hour. These are forecasts, not observed landfall conditions.

According to reporting by The Indian Express, the storm was approximately 650 kilometres east-southeast of Visakhapatnam on Monday morning. Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha face heavy to extremely heavy rainfall as the cyclone approaches. The newspaper reported red-level rainfall alerts for several districts, including Kakinada, Eluru and the Godavari districts, where more than 200 millimetres could fall in 24 hours.

Outlook India separately reported that Odisha has ordered educational institutions in five southern districts to close on October 28 and 29, while state officials prepare shelters and emergency response teams. The measures are precautionary; they do not mean that landfall has already occurred.

The weather warnings point to risks of flooding, landslides in hilly areas, travel disruption and damage in exposed coastal communities. Residents are advised to follow updated official forecasts as the storm's projected track, intensity and rainfall distribution can change before landfall.