Heavy rain in Andhra, Odisha as Cyclone Arnab nears coast; flights, trains cancelled

A very severe cyclonic storm is a powerful tropical cyclone classified by its sustained wind speed. In India’s weather system, this category covers storms with sustained winds of roughly 118–166 kmph. An ordinary storm is not necessarily a cyclone and usually has much weaker, less organized winds. The classification matters because stronger winds can damage buildings, trees, roads, power lines, and transport networks.

Cyclone Arnab had sustained winds of 125–135 kmph and gusts reaching 150 kmph. It also brought heavy rain, rising waves, cancelled flights, suspended rail services, and evacuation plans. These effects show why authorities treated it as a major emergency rather than a routine storm.

The storm was forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning. Andhra Pradesh and Odisha opened shelters, moved residents from vulnerable areas, and placed rescue and medical teams on standby. The category helped officials plan for dangerous winds and flooding before landfall.

Cyclone Arnab was expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning. The India Meteorological Department forecast that it would move west-northwestwards, then turn northwestwards before crossing the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts. The projected crossing area was close to Yanam and between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.

At 11:30 am on Tuesday, the storm was about 170 kilometres south-southeast of Visakhapatnam. Heavy rain had already been reported in Srikakulam, while strong winds affected Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. Waves rose between one and two metres along the Uppada-Kakinada stretch, disrupting traffic.

The risk extended beyond the coast. Odisha prepared for evacuations from low-lying and landslide-prone areas. Heavy to extremely heavy rain was expected in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh as the cyclone moved inland. Odisha also warned of possible flash floods from rivers receiving upstream rainfall.

Cyclone Arnab was a large, dangerous weather system because it combined very strong winds with intense rainfall. Sustained winds were forecast at 125–135 kmph, with gusts reaching 150 kmph. Heavy to extremely heavy rain was expected in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh. Odisha issued an orange alert for 12–20 centimetres of rain in six districts.

The human response was already substantial. Nearly 50,000 people had been moved to shelters in Andhra Pradesh, out of an estimated four lakh who might need evacuation. Odisha prepared to move around 48,000 more people. Andhra Pradesh also alerted around 2.70 crore people in 18 districts, showing the storm’s broad reach.

Transport was heavily affected before landfall. At least 65 trains and 21 flights were cancelled, while rail services on 53 southern coastal routes were suspended. Two IndiGo flights were cancelled, and about 600 kilometres of railway tracks were placed under surveillance. These interruptions aimed to reduce danger to passengers and staff.

Preparation protects people before dangerous conditions make movement impossible. Coastal cyclones can bring powerful winds, intense rain, high waves, flooding, and damage to roads and power systems. Moving residents from low-lying or landslide-prone areas gives them safer places to stay. Cancelling trains and flights keeps passengers away from hazardous routes and airports.

Andhra Pradesh had identified 2,131 shelter locations and moved nearly 50,000 people by Monday night. It deployed 1,087 medical teams, prepared 8,281 emergency beds, and kept 1,274 ambulances ready. Odisha mobilised 294 rescue teams, including NDRF, SDRF, and Fire Services personnel. These resources created a response network before the storm arrived.

The measures also prepared for the aftermath. Andhra Pradesh stocked anti-snake venom, shifted 1,351 pregnant women to hospitals, secured more than 30,000 fishing boats, and arranged generators and water supplies. Officials planned power restoration and relief distribution. Transport suspensions and school closures reduced exposure while the cyclone crossed the coast.

Low-lying coastal areas are especially exposed because they sit close to the sea and can flood when waves, storm-driven water, and heavy rain arrive together. Fishing communities face additional danger because boats and people may be at sea when winds and waves strengthen. Coastal roads, homes, shops, ports, and power systems can also be disrupted.

The article describes waves rising one to two metres along the Uppada-Kakinada stretch. More than 30,000 fishing boats in Andhra Pradesh were secured, and ports at Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur were placed on alert. Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea. Odisha prepared evacuations from low-lying and landslide-prone areas.

Areas near rivers face another threat. Heavy rain can fall in upper catchment regions and flow downstream, raising river levels and causing flash floods. Odisha officials watched rainfall in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand for this reason. The combined coastal, rainfall, and river risks explain the wide evacuation and shelter preparations.

Weather agencies predict a cyclone by tracking its position, wind speed, pressure, clouds, rainfall, and movement. Satellites provide repeated pictures over the ocean, where direct observations are limited. Ships, buoys, aircraft, radar, and weather stations can add measurements. Computer models then use these observations to calculate possible tracks and changes in intensity.

The India Meteorological Department reported Arnab’s position and movement, saying it was about 170 kilometres south-southeast of Visakhapatnam at 11:30 am Tuesday. It forecast a west-northwestward movement, followed by a northwestward turn, before landfall near Yanam and between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.

Forecasts can change as new measurements arrive and models are updated. A cyclone may encounter different winds at different heights, changing its direction. Ocean heat can support strength, while land usually disrupts the storm. Because these conditions evolve, agencies revise track, wind, and rainfall forecasts as landfall approaches. This explanation uses established weather science beyond the article.

Tropical cyclones usually begin over warm ocean water when moist air rises and creates lower pressure near the surface. More warm, humid air flows inward and rises, releasing heat as water vapour condenses into clouds and thunderstorms. Earth’s rotation helps organize the system into a rotating circulation. Warm water can therefore supply energy that sustains the storm.

Cyclone Arnab intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal. It had sustained winds of 125–135 kmph and gusts up to 150 kmph before reaching the Andhra Pradesh coast. Its development over the sea explains why authorities monitored its movement closely and advised fishermen not to enter the water.

After landfall, a cyclone usually weakens because it is cut off from warm ocean water. Friction over land also disrupts its circulation, while mountains and uneven terrain can break up the system. However, its rain and winds may still cause flooding and damage inland. This explanation uses established weather science beyond the article.