Who named Cyclone Arnab and why? Where it will hit, states on alert & preparedness

Cyclone Arnab is a tropical cyclone moving across the west-central Bay of Bengal toward Andhra Pradesh. It matters because the storm is expected to bring powerful winds, heavy rain and possible flooding across several states. Authorities have issued warnings and begun emergency preparations before the storm reaches land.

The India Meteorological Department expects landfall near Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. The cyclone was moving west-northwestwards on Tuesday morning, with an expected turn toward the coast. Northern coastal districts, including Srikakulam, were already experiencing strong winds and warnings of heavy rain.

Landfall is expected by Wednesday forenoon. Andhra Pradesh has identified 16 potentially vulnerable districts and prepared shelters, control rooms and response teams. Effects may continue across Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, where officials are preparing for rain, wind, waterlogging and related disruption.

Arnab was contributed by Bangladesh to the official list of tropical cyclone names for the North Indian Ocean. The name is pronounced “Ornab.” Cyclones receive names because a distinct name helps meteorological agencies, governments, disaster managers and the public communicate clearly about one weather system and its warnings.

The World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Panel on Tropical Cyclones oversee naming in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. The system began in 2004. The current list contains 52 names supplied by 13 countries, including Bangladesh and India.

Names are used sequentially, column-wise, and each is used only once. The Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in New Delhi, operated by the IMD, names systems over these seas after they reach the prescribed intensity. Arnab therefore identifies this particular storm throughout official warnings.

The IMD forecasts maximum sustained winds of 115 to 125 kmph when Cyclone Arnab crosses the coast. Gusts could reach 140 kmph. These speeds can make coastal conditions dangerous, damage weak structures and complicate travel, which is why officials have restricted beach access and secured fishing vessels.

The storm’s effects are expected across five states. Andhra Pradesh is the projected landfall area. Odisha and Jharkhand face heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms. West Bengal is likely to receive rain from October 28 to 30, while Uttar Pradesh is also included among the states expected to experience effects.

The exact impact will vary by location. Odisha has orange warnings for 12 to 20 centimetres of rain in several districts. Jharkhand faces yellow and orange alerts, and parts of West Bengal face heavy rain. These forecasts allow authorities to move boats, prepare shelters and issue travel advice before conditions worsen.

Authorities across the affected states are taking preventive steps before Cyclone Arnab arrives. Their aim is to protect people, keep emergency communication working and reduce exposure to wind, rain, flooding and unsafe travel. Preparations include shelters, control rooms, response teams, warnings and restrictions.

In Andhra Pradesh, 1,763 cyclone shelters were readied, 2,907 control rooms established and 3,185 nodal officers deployed. Response teams were positioned in 11 high-risk districts. Beaches were closed, coastal road movement restricted and 30,043 fishing vessels anchored. Odisha suspended tourist boat and ferry operations at Chilika Lake and moved boats to safer locations.

Jharkhand ordered district administrations to remain vigilant and issued yellow and orange alerts. West Bengal received forecasts and district-specific warnings. Paradip Port sheltered 305 fishermen. These actions provide evacuation space, local coordination and safer conditions as the cyclone’s effects spread inland.

The cyclone could produce several linked hazards as it crosses the coast and affects inland states. Heavy rain may overwhelm drains and water bodies, while strong winds can damage weak structures. Coastal flooding and unsafe sea conditions are possible, especially in vulnerable districts and low-lying areas.

Ranchi authorities warned of waterlogging, overflowing drains and water bodies, damage to weak structures and flood-like conditions in low-lying areas. Standing crops could be affected by accumulated water. Odisha’s heavy to very heavy rainfall warning covers 12 to 20 centimetres in Puri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri.

Travel could also be affected. Beaches and some coastal roads were restricted, and Chilika boat and ferry services were suspended. Air India warned that adverse weather could affect flights to and from Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada on October 27. People were advised to check flight status and allow extra airport time.

Weather alerts reduce risk by turning forecasts into clear warnings for communities and officials. Orange and yellow alerts signal the expected seriousness of rain and related hazards. They help administrations restrict unsafe activities, advise residents, protect property and prepare for possible evacuation before conditions deteriorate.

Cyclone shelters offer safer accommodation for people in vulnerable areas. Control rooms give authorities a central way to receive information, coordinate departments and communicate instructions. Nodal officers connect local areas with the wider emergency system. Response teams can support evacuations, rescue work and immediate relief when normal services are disrupted.

In Andhra Pradesh, authorities prepared 1,763 shelters, 2,907 control rooms and 3,185 nodal officers. Teams were positioned in 11 high-risk districts. Odisha and Jharkhand issued alerts and suspended risky transport. These measures cannot stop the cyclone, but they can reduce exposure and speed assistance.

A tropical cyclone begins over warm ocean water when moist air rises and creates an area of lower pressure. Surrounding air moves toward that lower pressure and also rises. Earth’s rotation makes the inflowing air curve, helping thunderstorms organize around a rotating centre. More rising moist air can release heat and support further development.

If the ocean remains warm and upper-level winds do not disrupt the storm, the circulation can become stronger. The system moves with larger atmospheric steering winds, often toward a coastline. Its rainbands contain thunderstorms that release heavy rain, while the pressure difference around the centre drives fast winds. The rotation’s direction depends on which hemisphere the storm occupies.

When a cyclone reaches land, it can bring destructive winds, intense rainfall and flooding. It usually loses its main ocean energy source after moving inland, but rain and wind can continue. Cyclone Arnab’s article-specific forecasts include 115-125 kmph winds, gusts to 140 kmph and effects in five states.