HYDERABAD, India — Cyclone Arnab struck the coast of Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of Wednesday. The landfall followed a large-scale emergency operation that saw tens of thousands of residents evacuated from high-risk coastal zones across the eastern state.
Prakhar Jain, head of the state’s disaster management authority, noted that while the cyclone weakened slightly before hitting land, it delivered intense rainfall to several coastal districts, causing significant disruption throughout the region.
By Wednesday morning, disaster management officials reported wind speeds reaching up to 135 kph (84 mph). Forecasters expect the system to lose further strength as it penetrates further inland, with wind speeds projected to subside later today.
While some structural damage has been reported, there have been no immediate reports of casualties.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the landfall process is now complete. However, the agency warned that strong winds and heavy precipitation will persist in coastal Andhra Pradesh and portions of southern Odisha. The IMD has since downgraded Cyclone Arnab to a “severe” cyclonic storm.
The storm’s outer bands began impacting the Andhra Pradesh coastline late Tuesday as the system intensified over the Bay of Bengal, making landfall sooner than initially predicted.
In response, authorities placed all coastal districts on high alert and initiated evacuations from flood-prone and low-lying areas. Heavy rains and gale-force winds led to the cancellation of several train services. Official statements confirm that at least 89,000 people have been evacuated thus far.
With more than 12 million people residing within the storm’s projected path, the state’s disaster management authority implemented extensive safety measures. According to Mr. Jain, over 2,000 cyclone shelters were established across 20 districts, and emergency alerts were broadcast to millions of mobile phones. Additionally, 30,000 fishing boats were secured, and approximately 1,100 medical teams were deployed to provide urgent care.
In the neighboring state of Odisha, officials have planned the evacuation of approximately 48,000 people from areas vulnerable to the storm’s impact.