Cyclone Arnab: Over 89,000 evacuated, NDRF teams deployed ahead of Andhra landfall

A cyclone is a large, rotating storm with strong winds and heavy rain. It forms around a low-pressure area over warm ocean water. Landfall is the moment when the storm’s centre reaches the coast. This matters because the storm can bring its strongest winds, intense rain, and dangerous seas to populated areas.

Cyclone Arnab was forecast to make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. Its maximum sustained winds were expected to reach 125 to 135 kilometres per hour, with gusts up to 150 kilometres per hour. It was expected to arrive in the early hours of Wednesday.

Before landfall, authorities moved people into relief camps and deployed emergency teams. More than 60 trains were cancelled, while railway tracks and airports faced disruption risks. The India Meteorological Department urged residents to follow official updates and local safety instructions. Rough seas were expected to continue until at least Thursday morning.

Cyclone Arnab was expected to reach Andhra Pradesh’s coast in the early hours of Wednesday. The forecast placed landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam town in Puducherry. This location mattered because coastal settlements, transport routes, and nearby states could experience the storm’s strongest effects.

At 2.30 pm Indian time on Tuesday, the cyclone was centred about 170 kilometres south of Visakhapatnam. The India Meteorological Department forecast maximum sustained winds of 125 to 135 kilometres per hour. Gusts could reach 150 kilometres per hour, making the storm dangerous for people, buildings, trees, power systems, and transport.

The forecast also included isolated, extremely heavy rainfall in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sea conditions were expected to remain rough until at least Thursday morning. Residents were advised to stay alert, follow official weather updates, and obey authorities’ instructions.

The preparations affected large numbers of people and transport services. Nearly 89,000 residents on the Kakinada coast were being moved to relief camps in Andhra Pradesh. Odisha planned to shift another 48,000 people by Tuesday evening. These evacuations were intended to move residents away from exposed coastal areas before dangerous weather arrived.

The National Disaster Relief Force deployed 31 teams across likely affected areas. Twelve went to Andhra Pradesh, nine to Odisha, four to Chhattisgarh, three to Telangana, and two to Yanam. About 11 State Disaster Response Force teams were also deployed in Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Odisha deployed 60 disaster rapid-action teams.

Transport was also disrupted as a precaution. At least 64 trains scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday were cancelled. Railways monitored about 600 kilometres of track and positioned relief wagons with repair materials. The scale of these measures showed the expected threat to people, transport links, and infrastructure.

Coastal residents were evacuated because Cyclone Arnab was expected to bring dangerous conditions. Forecast winds could gust up to 150 kilometres per hour, while isolated areas faced extremely heavy rainfall. Rough seas could also threaten people near the shoreline. Moving residents to relief camps reduced their exposure before the storm reached land.

The NDRF and state teams were placed in several states before landfall. Their presence gave authorities trained personnel ready for rescue, evacuation support, emergency relief, and response to flooding or wind damage. The NDRF sent 31 teams, while Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh received additional State Disaster Response Force teams. Odisha deployed 60 state disaster rapid-action teams.

Early deployment also improved the chance of a faster response after the cyclone passed. Railways positioned relief wagons containing repair materials, and officials closely monitored tracks. These actions recognised that roads, railways, power systems, buildings, and communications could be affected. Preparedness helped authorities act before conditions became too dangerous.

Very heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas can make ordinary travel and daily life dangerous. Rain may flood roads and low-lying areas, while powerful winds can damage buildings, trees, power lines, and communication systems. Rough seas can endanger boats and people near the coast. The article warned that several states could face these conditions.

Transport was already affected before landfall. At least 64 trains were cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday, including routes serving Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Guntur. About 600 kilometres of railway track were being monitored. Strong winds and heavy rain could also hamper flights to and from Visakhapatnam’s Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport.

Infrastructure damage can slow rescue operations and interrupt supplies. Railways stationed repair materials at several locations to respond quickly. The airport operator had not confirmed flight cancellations, so the travel situation remained uncertain. Sea conditions were expected to stay rough until at least Thursday morning, extending risks beyond landfall.

The India Meteorological Department tracks a cyclone by combining weather observations with forecasting tools. In general, these include satellite pictures, weather stations, ocean observations, radar, and computer models. Together, they help estimate the storm’s position, movement, wind strength, rainfall, and likely landfall. The article does not describe the department’s specific instruments or models.

For Arnab, the department reported that the storm was about 170 kilometres south of Visakhapatnam at 2.30 pm Tuesday. It forecast landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, with winds of 125 to 135 kilometres per hour and gusts up to 150. It also warned of extremely heavy rain and rough seas.

Those forecasts became practical safety advice. Residents were told to follow official updates and authorities’ instructions. Officials shifted people to relief camps, deployed disaster-response teams, cancelled trains, and monitored railway tracks. This shows how forecasts support decisions before dangerous weather arrives and help communities prepare for possible disruption.

Tropical cyclones begin over warm ocean water when heat causes moist air to rise. Rising air lowers pressure near the surface. More warm, moist air then flows toward that low-pressure area and rises too. Earth’s rotation makes the system spin, allowing it to organise into a large rotating storm.

As water vapour rises and condenses into clouds, it releases heat. That heat makes the air rise more strongly and can deepen the low-pressure centre. A stronger pressure difference creates faster winds. Warm water can keep supplying moisture and energy, so the cyclone may strengthen while it remains over the ocean.

A cyclone weakens when it moves over land or cooler water because its supply of warm, moist air is reduced. The article describes Arnab as a very severe cyclonic storm and forecasts winds of 125 to 135 kilometres per hour, with gusts up to 150. These conditions explain why evacuations and emergency preparations began before landfall.