Brief
India evacuates over 136,000 as Cyclone Arnab nears coast
The storm is expected to make landfall near Yanam with winds up to 150 km/h and heavy rain.
By Felo News Desk · Published
More than 136,000 residents of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have been evacuated as Cyclone Arnab moves toward the eastern Indian coast, Gulf News reported.
What happened
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the very severe cyclonic storm will likely make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam on Wednesday morning, Oct. 28. Forecasts show sustained winds of 125–135 km/h with gusts to 150 km/h, and the system is moving at about 20 km/h over the Bay of Bengal. Authorities have cancelled dozens of train services, mobilised disaster‑response teams and opened hundreds of emergency shelters.
What the reports add
Gulf News cited an Associated Press‑quoted official statement that 89,000 people have been evacuated in Andhra Pradesh, while Odisha officials reported moving another 47,830 residents to safer locations. The report notes that more than 12 million people live along the cyclone’s projected path in Andhra Pradesh, according to the state disaster‑management authority.
What was said
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra warned that the cyclone could cause “significant damage to infrastructure, disrupt electricity and communication networks, and devastate standing crops.” He also said “extremely rough sea conditions” have already produced waves up to 14 metres, making maritime operations dangerous.
How it came about
The name Arnab, meaning “ocean” or “sea” in Bengali, was proposed by Bangladesh and added to the World Meteorological Organisation’s naming list in April 2020. The IMD assigns these names to storms forming over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea to aid clear warnings and tracking.
Key facts
- Over 136,000 people evacuated in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha (gulfnews.com)
- Cyclone Arnab expected to make landfall near Yanam on Oct. 28 (gulfnews.com)
- Sustained winds forecast at 125‑135 km/h, gusts up to 150 km/h (gulfnews.com)
- Waves up to 14 metres reported in the Bay of Bengal (gulfnews.com)
- IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra warned of infrastructure damage (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Cyclone Arnab Approaches India: 136,000 Evacuated as Andhra and Odisha Brace for Impact”
