Deep depression intensifies into cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’; rains continue in Tamil Nadu | LIVE

Cyclone Arnab is a named tropical storm over the Bay of Bengal. It developed from a deep depression, a stronger low-pressure system, into a cyclonic storm. This matters because the storm is expected to intensify and threaten coastal communities in Andhra Pradesh and nearby Odisha.

The India Meteorological Department said the deep depression moved nearly westward at 15 kmph during six hours before strengthening. It then lay over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal. The system is expected to move west-northwestward, becoming severe and then very severe.

Arnab was officially identified as a cyclonic storm on October 26. The forecast places its coastal crossing on October 28, with strong winds and heavy rain possible. Authorities are preparing boats, power networks, emergency rooms and election plans for disruptions.

Arnab is expected to strengthen from a cyclonic storm into a severe cyclonic storm and then a very severe cyclonic storm. The scale matters because stronger winds can damage buildings, uproot trees, disrupt transport and make rescue work more difficult along the coast.

The IMD forecasts maximum sustained winds of 115–125 kmph when Arnab crosses the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast. Gusts could reach 140 kmph. The storm is expected to cross between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28.

A red message cyclone warning has been issued for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts. Preparations include returning fishing boats, opening power control rooms and restricting access to exposed areas. The forecast strength makes rapid response and safe evacuation especially important.

Arnab is travelling west-northwestward from the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal. Its projected route matters because it points the strongest weather toward Andhra Pradesh’s coast, with possible effects in Yanam and neighbouring south Odisha areas.

The IMD expects the storm to cross between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam. The forecast timing is the forenoon of October 28, 2026. Earlier bulletins said the storm would cross the coast by October 28 noon, showing a similar landfall window.

The route has already shaped preparations in vulnerable districts. APEPDCL is focusing on Konaseema, Godavari and Kakinada, while more than 4,800 boats have returned to shore. Odisha has also restricted fishing and tourist entry in six districts as the storm approaches.

A powerful cyclone can affect much more than the shoreline. Strong winds may damage buildings, trees and electrical equipment, while heavy rain can flood homes, streets and low-lying districts. Coastal flooding and rough conditions can also interrupt roads, boats and other transport.

The article reports knee-deep water on some Coimbatore streets and rainwater entering houses in Selvapuram after heavy rain. In cyclone-prone Andhra districts, power systems are a major concern. APEPDCL has mobilised workers, machinery and electrical materials to reduce outages and speed restoration.

The likely effects depend on the storm’s final track and strength. Kakinada, Godavari and Konaseema are receiving special attention, and 41 power control rooms are operating across levels. Authorities are also stopping fishing and restricting access to vulnerable sites to reduce exposure before conditions worsen.

Fishing boats returned because Cyclone Arnab was approaching and marine conditions were considered unsafe. Keeping vessels in harbour protects fisherfolk from worsening winds and seas. The same precaution helps authorities avoid difficult sea rescues during the storm.

On the Kakinada coast, at least 4,800 boats ended fishing and reached the harbour or landing centres. The Fisheries Department, Indian Coast Guard and Kakinada district authorities told fisherfolk not to go back to sea until further direction. Odisha separately prohibited fishing in the sea.

Odisha also banned tourists from hills, waterfalls and dams in six districts. These places may become dangerous during heavy rain and strong winds. The restrictions are part of wider precautions because the cyclone was likely to make landfall in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh within 48 hours.

The IMD is tracking Arnab and issuing forecasts, including its expected strengthening, route, wind speeds and red warning. Those forecasts guide decisions by power utilities, disaster managers, fisheries officials and election authorities. Accurate timing helps them move resources before landfall.

APEPDCL has mobilised personnel, machinery and electrical materials. It opened 30 divisional control rooms and 11 circle-level control rooms. Fisheries officials, the Coast Guard and district authorities helped more than 4,800 boats return. Odisha officials stopped fishing and tourist entry in exposed areas.

The storm may affect Andhra Pradesh urban local-body elections scheduled for November 1. State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha discussed contingencies with disaster-management chief Prakhar Jain. Officials hope to hold the polls on schedule, but are preparing for cyclone-related difficulties.

The source article does not explain why tropical systems strengthen. In general, a cyclone develops when warm tropical seawater supplies heat and moisture to air above it. Rising moist air can lower pressure near the surface, drawing in more air and increasing the storm’s circulation.

As this process continues, condensation releases heat high in the storm. That extra energy supports stronger rising air and faster winds around the low-pressure centre. Earth’s rotation helps organize the circulation, while weak winds higher in the atmosphere allow the system to remain vertically aligned.

Strengthening is not guaranteed. A storm can weaken over cooler water, land or under disruptive upper-level winds. For Arnab, the article reports intensification over the Bay of Bengal, but it does not provide sea-temperature or upper-atmosphere measurements explaining the change.