Cyclone Arnab: Depression over Bay of Bengal to intensify; when and where will landfall occur? IMD's latest updates

Cyclone Arnab is the name given in the article to a weather system developing over the Bay of Bengal. The IMD first described it as a depression over the East Central and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal. It was expected to intensify through several stages before reaching the coast. This matters because each stage signals stronger winds, heavier rain, and a greater need for preparation.

A depression is a relatively weaker tropical system with organized weather and winds below cyclone strength. The IMD forecast that Arnab would become a deep depression, then a cyclonic storm, a severe cyclonic storm, and finally a very severe cyclonic storm. At its expected landfall, winds were forecast at 115-125 kmph, with gusts reaching 140 kmph.

The article says the system could become very severe near the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. Odisha and Andhra Pradesh prepared for heavy rain and strong winds. The article does not provide formal wind thresholds for each category, but it clearly presents the very severe stage as the most powerful forecast stage before landfall.

Cyclone Arnab was expected to make landfall on the afternoon of October 28, according to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The article gives the more specific location as between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, along the Andhra Pradesh coast. This places the expected landfall near northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, making both states important areas for preparedness.

The IMD forecast Arnab would reach the Westcentral Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast around the morning of October 28. It was expected to land as a very severe cyclonic storm. Maximum sustained winds were forecast at 115-125 kmph, while stronger gusts could reach 140 kmph.

The timing and location were forecasts, not confirmed observations. The system was still intensifying as it moved southwards and toward the coast. Because the track and strength could affect several districts, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh reviewed preparations, alerted officials, and focused on people living in low-lying areas.

The rainfall forecast became more serious as Arnab approached the coast. In Andhra Pradesh, thunderstorms with lightning were expected in Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema on October 26, 27, and 28. Scattered heavy to very heavy rain was forecast in Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on October 27 and 28, with extremely heavy rain possible in isolated places.

On October 29, heavy rain was expected in parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam. Odisha was also warned of heavy rainfall and wind activity as the system intensified and moved toward the coast. However, the article does not provide a rainfall amount in millimetres for either state.

The strongest wind figure given is for landfall: sustained winds of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph. The forecast therefore combines several days of rain with potentially damaging winds near the coast. The exact effects would depend on the cyclone’s final track and intensity, which were still evolving.

A landfalling storm of the forecast strength can bring dangerous winds, intense rain, flooding, and damage to homes and other structures. Coastal communities may face difficult travel, falling trees, damaged communications, and interruptions to electricity. These are established risks of powerful tropical cyclones, although the article does not give a detailed impact forecast for each service.

The article directly warns of heavy rain in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and wind activity as Arnab approaches. Andhra Pradesh could receive heavy to extremely heavy rain in isolated places on October 27 and 28. The CM of Andhra Pradesh also directed officials to alert people in low-lying areas. Such warnings are intended to reduce exposure to flooding and strong winds.

The final consequences depend on the cyclone’s track, strength, rainfall, and duration over land. Odisha reviewed response mechanisms and assigned departmental responsibilities. Andhra Pradesh officials were told to remain alert. The stated priority in Odisha was preparedness and achieving zero casualties, while the article leaves transport and power impacts unspecified.

Low-lying coastal areas are especially exposed because they sit close to sea level. During a powerful cyclone, intense rainfall can collect quickly, while strong winds can push seawater toward the coast. If drainage is overwhelmed, water may enter homes, cover roads, and isolate communities. These are well-established cyclone risks; the article specifically highlights alerts for low-lying residents.

The article says Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to alert people in low-lying areas. Odisha also reviewed its response systems and assigned responsibilities to departments. These actions recognize that residents in lower areas may need earlier warnings, evacuation support, and access to safer locations.

The article does not identify particular flooded villages, roads, or buildings. It does state that heavy to extremely heavy rain was possible in parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, while Odisha faced heavy rain and wind activity. The final level of flooding would depend on the storm’s track and rainfall.

The IMD monitors the system and updates forecasts about its movement, intensification, rainfall, and winds. In this case, it predicted a progression from depression to very severe cyclonic storm and warned of heavy rain in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Such information matters because governments need time to protect people before landfall.

Odisha reviewed its response mechanisms and assigned specific responsibilities to departments. Its Chief Minister said the government was preparing for heavy rainfall and aimed for zero casualties. Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister reviewed the situation, told officials to remain alert, and directed them to warn people in low-lying areas. IMD Bhubaneswar also highlighted Odisha’s likely rainfall and wind impacts.

Coordination prevents agencies from working separately or leaving essential tasks uncovered. Departments can share warnings, support evacuations, protect vulnerable communities, and manage emergency operations. The article does not list every department’s duties, but it makes clear that assigned responsibilities were intended to ensure coordinated action before the expected October 28 landfall.

The article describes Arnab’s strengthening but does not explain how cyclones form. In established meteorology, warm tropical ocean water causes evaporation, adding moisture to the air. When moist air rises and condenses into thunderstorms, it releases heat. That heat lowers pressure near the surface and draws in more air, allowing the system to grow if conditions remain favourable.

Earth’s rotation, through the Coriolis effect, bends moving air and helps organize the circulation around a developing low-pressure system. In the Northern Hemisphere, this supports the counterclockwise rotation of a tropical cyclone. Persistent thunderstorms, abundant moisture, warm water, and limited disruptive winds aloft can help the circulation become stronger.

Arnab was reported over the East Central and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal and was forecast to intensify through several stages. The article does not state ocean temperatures, moisture values, or upper-level wind conditions. Therefore, those formation details come from established weather science, while the storm’s forecast stages and impacts come from the article.