Cyclone Arnab nears Andhra coast as 1.5 lakh people evacuated

A cyclone is a large rotating storm that forms around a low-pressure center over warm tropical seas. It can bring powerful winds, intense rain, rough seas and flooding. Landfall is the moment the storm’s center crosses the coastline. It matters because dangerous winds and rain then reach populated areas directly.

Cyclone Arnab was forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. The weather department expected this between 2am and 4am on Wednesday. Winds near landfall could reach 115–125 kmph, with gusts up to 140 kmph.

The forecast had shifted from Wednesday forenoon to early Wednesday morning as Arnab picked up speed. Andhra Pradesh prepared for widespread rain, extremely heavy rain in several districts and damage to trees, power infrastructure, temporary structures and vulnerable buildings. Evacuations and rescue deployments aimed to protect people before landfall.

Cyclone Arnab was large enough to trigger evacuations across two states, with nearly 1.5 lakh people moved to shelters. Andhra Pradesh evacuated about 90,000 people, while Odisha moved about 48,000. These figures show the storm’s human reach before it even crossed the coast.

Arnab was forecast to bring coastal winds of 90–100 kmph. During landfall, winds could rise to 115–125 kmph, with gusts as high as 140 kmph. It was described as a very severe cyclonic storm. The system also threatened widespread and extremely heavy rainfall across parts of Andhra Pradesh.

The storm was moving west-northwestward before turning northwestward and travelled at 25 kmph for six hours, according to a state disaster official. Its size and strength required shelters, control rooms, evacuation teams and rescue forces. Officials expected further movement of people from vulnerable areas during the night and Wednesday morning.

Heavy rain, storm winds and coastal flooding can threaten lives, homes, transport and essential services. Rain may flood low-lying areas, while strong winds can turn loose objects into hazards. Floodwater can also isolate communities and disrupt roads, electricity and communications.

The article warned that Arnab could damage trees, electricity infrastructure, temporary structures and vulnerable buildings. People were told to avoid trees, large hoardings and dilapidated buildings because they could be uprooted or collapse. Beaches were closed, and movement on coastal roads was suspended.

The main impact was expected in Andhra Pradesh, but alerts covered Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Extremely heavy rain was forecast in 11 Andhra Pradesh districts, including Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Krishna and West Godavari. The final spread and intensity depended on Arnab’s movement and landfall conditions.

Coastal and low-lying areas face greater danger when a cyclone approaches. Water can accumulate quickly, roads can become impassable, and high winds can damage weak buildings. Moving residents early reduces the chance that rescue teams must search for people during the most dangerous conditions.

Andhra Pradesh had moved about 90,000 people by Tuesday evening, while Odisha had moved about 48,000. Authorities identified 1,763 cyclone shelters and established 2,907 control rooms. Officials also urged residents to stay indoors in safe locations and avoid trees, hoardings and dilapidated buildings.

The evacuations were part of a wider effort to avoid loss of life. Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister said saving every life was the priority. Further evacuations were expected overnight and on Wednesday morning. With Arnab threatening winds up to 140 kmph and extremely heavy rain, early movement gave residents more protection before conditions deteriorated.

A cyclone is not a single point of weather. Its rain bands, strongest winds and heaviest cloud bursts surround the center. If the center moves slightly north, south, faster or slower, different places may spend more time under those bands. That can change rainfall totals and wind damage.

Arnab was forecast to cross between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, but officials cautioned that the geographical spread and rainfall intensity would depend on its movement and landfall conditions. Extremely heavy rain was listed for districts from Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli to Krishna and West Godavari.

This uncertainty explains why several states remained on alert, rather than only the projected landfall zone. Forecasts had already changed from Wednesday forenoon to between 2am and 4am Wednesday as the cyclone accelerated. Authorities therefore planned continued monitoring, evacuation and emergency deployment as the storm approached.

Cyclone protection works best when different agencies act on the same forecast. The IMD tracks the storm and warns states about rain, wind and likely impacts. State governments then evacuate residents, open shelters, restrict risky movement and prepare control rooms. These steps reduce exposure before the storm arrives.

Andhra Pradesh deployed eight state and seven national teams, plus seven NDRF teams. Three SDRF teams and five NDRF teams were available if needed. The state identified 1,763 shelters, created 2,907 control rooms and appointed 3,185 nodal officers. It also released ₹27 crore for preparedness and relief.

The Army, Navy and Air Force were included in national preparedness efforts. The Cabinet Secretary directed agencies to prioritise lives, limit damage and restore essential services quickly. This coordination matters after landfall, when blocked roads, damaged electricity systems and isolated communities may require rescue, relief and repair operations.

Tropical cyclones form over sufficiently warm ocean water when moist air rises and lowers surface pressure. Air then flows toward the low-pressure center and rotates because of Earth’s rotation. As water vapour rises and condenses, it releases heat, making the air rise more strongly and helping the storm intensify.

The process can create a self-reinforcing cycle: warmer water adds more evaporation, rising moist air releases more heat, and falling pressure draws in more air. A storm becomes stronger when its circulation remains organised and upper-level winds do not tear it apart. The source article does not describe Arnab’s formation, but it reports that the storm intensified over the west-central Bay of Bengal.

After landfall, the cyclone loses access to ocean moisture and heat. Rough land also creates friction that disrupts its circulation. Arnab was therefore expected to bring its greatest coastal threat near landfall, followed by weakening as it moved inland, although heavy rain could continue.