Brief
Cyclone Arnab makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh after evacuating tens of thousands
Officials said the storm weakened slightly before landfall but still brought severe winds and rain to coastal districts.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Early Wednesday, Cyclone Arnab crossed the coast of India’s Andhra Pradesh state, officials said, a day after evacuating tens of thousands from vulnerable coastal zones.
What happened
State disaster‑management head Prakhar Jain reported that the cyclone entered land in the early hours, with peak winds of up to 185 kph (115 mph) and heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that the system would linger over the coast for about four hours before moving inland, after which winds were expected to drop to around 110 kph (68 mph). No immediate casualty reports were received.
What the reports add
The AP‑based article noted that the IMD’s head, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, said the “tip of the system has already entered the land mass.” It also highlighted that the cyclone had intensified into a “very severe” cyclonic storm late Tuesday, prompting high‑alert status for all coastal districts and the cancellation of some train services.
What was said
Prakhar Jain told reporters that the cyclone had weakened slightly before landfall but still packed “peak winds of up to 185 kph.” Mrutyunjay Mohapatra of the IMD added that the storm’s tip had entered the land mass and that the entire process would take roughly four hours.
How it came about
Authorities began evacuating low‑lying and flood‑prone areas after the storm’s outer bands lashed the coast late Tuesday. An official statement said at least 89,000 people had been moved to shelters, while the state’s disaster‑management authority estimates more than 12 million residents live along the storm’s projected path. Earlier Felo coverage detailed the broader evacuation effort, noting over 136,000 people were moved in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as the cyclone approached.
Key facts
- Cyclone Arnab made landfall on Andhra Pradesh's coast early Wednesday. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Peak winds at landfall were reported at up to 185 kph (115 mph). (winnipegfreepress.com)
- At least 89,000 people had been evacuated from vulnerable coastal areas. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The India Meteorological Department said the system would take about four hours to cross land. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Sources
- [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “Cyclone Arnab hits India's Andhra Pradesh state as tens of thousands evacuate”
