Watch: High tides, uprooted trees as Cyclone Arnab makes landfall along Andhra coast

Landfall is the stage when a tropical cyclone moves from the sea onto a coastline. For Arnab, this occurred along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast, bringing the storm’s strongest effects close to populated coastal areas. Landfall does not mean the storm instantly stops. Heavy rain, dangerous winds, high tides and flooding can continue for hours.

A cyclone draws much of its energy from warm ocean water and moist air. After moving over land, it is cut off from that steady energy source. Friction with the land surface also slows and disrupts its circulation. Mountains, buildings and uneven terrain can weaken the system further, although rainfall may remain intense.

The IMD said Arnab was nearly stationary early Wednesday, with winds of 120-130 kmph and gusts up to 145 kmph. The landfall process was expected to continue for about three more hours from 7am. Residents were told to remain in shelters until authorities confirmed the danger had passed.

Arnab was a powerful cyclonic storm. The article gives sustained wind speeds between 125 and 135 kmph, with gusts up to 150 kmph. The IMD separately reported sustained winds of 120-130 kmph and gusts reaching 145 kmph while the storm was nearly stationary near the coast. These winds made landfall dangerous for people, buildings and infrastructure.

Rainfall was extreme in parts of Andhra Pradesh. Kannuripalem in Anakapalle district recorded 261.5 mm between 8.30am on October 27 and 4am on October 28. Vizianagaram received 259.74 mm, and Visakhapatnam 259.06 mm. Kakinada experienced waterlogging, while high tides affected Visakhapatnam’s RK Beach.

A storm surge of 1 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide was forecast to inundate low-lying Andhra Pradesh areas. Odisha also faced heavy rain, strong winds and a red alert in four districts. The surge and rainfall were expected to ease gradually after the landfall period.

The greatest risks were along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast, especially low-lying areas exposed to storm surge, heavy rain and high tides. Kakinada faced waterlogging, while coastal communities also confronted destructive winds. In Odisha, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Nabarangpur received a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall, with possible landslides in Koraput.

Authorities evacuated residents from badly affected places, including Pagadala Peta, to rehabilitation centres. The state had identified 2,199 cyclone shelters. Schools were converted into 609 rehabilitation centres, accommodating 854 people by 5.50am. Evacuation plans prioritised elderly people, children, persons with disabilities and pregnant women. A total of 2,360 pregnant women were moved to medical facilities.

These groups may need extra help during fast-moving emergencies, medical care or transport. Moving them early reduces exposure to flooding, falling trees, damaged power lines and unsafe roads. Officials also deployed NDRF, SDRF, police, fire, medical, Navy and Coast Guard resources.

An astronomical tide is the regular rise and fall of sea level caused by the gravitational effects of the Earth, moon and sun. It follows predictable cycles. A storm surge is a temporary rise in coastal water produced by a storm’s winds and low pressure. It is additional water, not the ordinary tide itself.

During Arnab, the forecast surge was 1 metre to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide. That extra height can push seawater farther inland, cover low-lying roads and homes, and combine with heavy rainfall to block drainage. If the normal tide is already high, the same surge begins from a higher water level and can cause more flooding.

The IMD expected the surge to inundate low-lying areas of Andhra Pradesh during the following three hours, then gradually subside. This is why coastal residents were moved to shelters and warned away from beaches, riverbanks and floodwaters while the danger continued.

Powerful cyclones disrupt both infrastructure and daily life. Strong winds can uproot trees, damage kutcha houses and thatched roofs, and bring down electricity poles and lines. Heavy rain can overwhelm drainage, flood roads and homes, and isolate communities. High tides and storm surge add seawater to already swollen coastal areas.

Arnab produced clear examples. Trees fell in Visakhapatnam and Odisha’s Malkangiri. Nearly 6,000 electricity poles were uprooted in Andhra Pradesh’s Konaseema district, damaging power infrastructure. Kakinada experienced waterlogging, and rough seas battered the Kakinada coastline. The IMD also warned that strong winds could damage vulnerable structures.

Rain and wind create further hazards after landfall. Fallen power lines threaten people, while damaged roads slow rescue and restoration teams. In Odisha’s Koraput region, IMD scientist Sanjeev Dwivedi warned of possible mudslides and landslides. More than 8,400 power restoration personnel were mobilised, alongside emergency teams, shelters, food, water, medicines and generators.

Weather alerts translate forecasts into practical risk levels. A red alert signals an especially serious threat requiring urgent precautions. An orange alert indicates dangerous weather that demands readiness and careful decisions. These warnings help authorities decide where to open shelters, move residents, position rescue teams and protect essential services.

For Arnab, the IMD issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Odisha’s Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Nabarangpur districts. Winds there could reach 60-70 kmph, with gusts to 80 kmph. Other southern Odisha districts received orange alerts for heavy to very heavy rain and winds of 50-70 kmph. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack faced expected winds of 40-70 kmph.

Warnings also guide public behaviour. Officials advised people to avoid unnecessary travel, beaches, riverbanks, floodwaters and fallen power lines. Fishermen were told not to enter the sea until official clearance. NDRF, SDRF, police, fire and medical teams were deployed as conditions worsened.

Tropical cyclones begin over warm ocean water when air rises and creates a region of low pressure. Moist air flows toward that centre and rises, forming clouds and thunderstorms. As water vapour condenses, it releases heat, which helps the air rise further and lowers pressure more. This feedback can strengthen the storm.

Earth’s rotation deflects moving air, helping the circulation develop a curved, spinning structure rather than flowing straight into the centre. Warm seas provide continuing moisture and heat, while low pressure draws in more air. When these conditions persist and winds remain organised, the cyclone can intensify. The exact strength also depends on other atmospheric conditions, which are not detailed in the article.

Arnab retained sustained winds of 120-130 kmph near the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast. After landfall, it moved over land and faced less ocean energy and greater surface friction. Its rain and hazards continued during the landfall process, but the storm was expected to gradually weaken.