Amaravati, October 28, 2026: Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab completed landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain, uprooted trees and widespread electricity disruptions across several coastal districts.
The India Meteorological Department said the cyclone crossed the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast about 20 km east-northeast of Narsapur, 40 km southwest of Yanam and 60 km southwest of Kakinada between 2 am and 8 am. At landfall, the storm carried maximum sustained winds of 125–135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph.
Six-Hour Landfall Process Completed
The landfall process began during the early hours of Wednesday and continued for around six hours.
IMD later confirmed that Arnab’s centre had moved completely over land, marking the completion of the crossing.
Narsapur Closest to Cyclone Crossing Point
While Kakinada had been one of the major cities under cyclone alert, the storm’s centre crossed closer to Narsapur in West Godavari district.
The final landfall point was also south of Yanam and southwest of Kakinada.
Winds Gusted Up to 150 Kmph
Arnab struck the coast as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm.
Maximum sustained winds were recorded at around 125–135 kmph, with gusts touching 150 kmph during the crossing.
Trees Uprooted Across Coastal Districts
Strong winds brought down trees across roads and highways in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Fallen trees disrupted local traffic and blocked access routes in several affected areas.
Electricity Poles Damaged
Power infrastructure also suffered damage.
Electricity poles and transmission lines were uprooted or damaged in several locations as high winds battered the coast.
Power Supply Suspended as Precaution
In some severely affected areas, authorities deliberately suspended electricity supply as a safety measure during the strongest phase of the cyclone.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu instructed officials to restore power as soon as conditions became safe.
More Than 84,000 Evacuated in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh authorities had shifted more than 84,000 people into cyclone shelters as Arnab approached the coast.
The evacuations focused primarily on low-lying, coastal and flood-prone communities.
Over 1.8 Lakh Evacuated Across Two States
When Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha are counted together, more than 180,000 people were evacuated before the cyclone struck.
Large-scale preventive evacuations helped reduce the risk of casualties.
No Deaths Reported So Far
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said there had been no reported loss of life in the state as of Wednesday morning.
Authorities attributed the absence of fatalities so far to advance evacuations and precautionary measures.
Heavy Rain Hits Eight Coastal Districts
Heavy rainfall affected several parts of Andhra Pradesh during and after the cyclone’s crossing.
Among the badly affected regions were Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Krishna and Polavaram areas.
Flooding Reported in Low-Lying Areas
Continuous rain caused waterlogging and flooding in some low-lying communities.
Residents in affected areas reported water entering homes and damaging household belongings.
Storm Surge Threatened Coastal Settlements
IMD had warned that a storm surge of approximately 1 to 1.5 metres above astronomical tide could inundate low-lying coastal areas.
The combination of high tide, strong winds and heavy rain increased the risk of coastal flooding.
Old Buildings Damaged
Authorities reported that some old and unoccupied structures collapsed during the storm.
There were also reports of damage to thatched houses and other vulnerable buildings.
Agriculture Faces Significant Risk
Heavy rainfall and powerful winds have raised fears of damage to standing crops.
Paddy, horticultural crops and plantations in coastal districts could face losses from flooding, wind damage and saltwater intrusion.
Kakinada Among Worst-Hit Areas
Kakinada remained one of the districts experiencing strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Officials had warned of gale-force winds in Kakinada, Konaseema and East Godavari as the storm crossed the coast.
Roads Blocked by Fallen Trees
Emergency teams were deployed to remove fallen trees and debris from major roads.
Chief Minister Naidu instructed district administrations to restore connectivity immediately after wind speeds reduced to safe levels.
Drainage Systems Under Pressure
Officials were also asked to closely monitor tanks, canals and drainage channels.
Heavy rainfall created concerns that overflowing water bodies could worsen flooding even after the cyclone weakened.
Rail Services Disrupted
Rail transport across parts of the east coast was disrupted ahead of the cyclone.
Numerous trains had already been cancelled, diverted or suspended as a precaution before landfall.
Three Airports Suspended Operations
Three airports in Andhra Pradesh suspended operations as the storm approached, according to Reuters.
Air travel faced disruption because of dangerous winds, poor visibility and heavy rainfall.
Schools Remained Closed
Schools and other educational institutions in vulnerable districts remained closed as authorities attempted to minimise public movement during the cyclone.
Neighbouring Odisha had also shut educational institutions in high-risk southern districts.
Fishermen Asked to Remain Ashore
Fishermen continued to be warned against entering the Bay of Bengal.
Very rough sea conditions and high waves remained dangerous even as the cyclone moved inland.
Arnab Weakens After Moving Inland
After completing landfall, Cyclone Arnab began weakening as its centre moved over land.
The New Indian Express reported that it weakened into a Severe Cyclonic Storm following the crossing.
Heavy Rain Threat Remains
The weakening of the cyclone does not mean the danger has ended.
Heavy to very heavy rain could continue over parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and adjoining states as the system moves inland.
Restoration Work Begins
Authorities have begun restoring electricity, clearing roads and assessing damage in affected districts.
More detailed estimates of damage to homes, crops, roads and power infrastructure are expected once weather conditions improve.
Government Deploys Thousands of Personnel
Chief Minister Naidu reviewed the situation through a teleconference involving around 32,000 government and emergency personnel.
Officials were instructed to focus on preventing casualties, restoring infrastructure and delivering assistance to affected communities.
Early Warning Helps Limit Casualties
The evacuation of tens of thousands of residents before landfall appears to have helped limit the immediate human toll.
India’s improved cyclone forecasting and evacuation systems have significantly strengthened preparedness along the east coast.
Damage Assessment Still Underway
The full scale of Arnab’s impact is not yet known.
Authorities are still assessing housing damage, agricultural losses, electricity infrastructure and flooding across the worst-hit coastal districts.
Cyclone Arnab Moves Inland After Powerful Landfall
Cyclone Arnab’s landfall marked the most dangerous phase of the storm, but heavy rainfall and flood risks are expected to continue even as wind speeds decline.
With more than 1.8 lakh people evacuated across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and no deaths reported so far, authorities are now shifting their focus from emergency evacuation to restoration, relief and damage assessment.
Source: India Meteorological Department, Reuters, Andhra Pradesh Government, The Indian Express, The New Indian Express
Supreme News Network
