Yanam: Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the coast of Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining Yanam region in India early on Wednesday, 28 October, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that caused flooding and damage in several areas. Homes, roads and electricity infrastructure were affected, while transport services faced disruption as emergency teams responded to the situation.
The India Meteorological Department reported that the landfall process had been completed by Wednesday morning. The cyclone subsequently weakened from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm. However, heavy rainfall and strong winds remained a concern in coastal Andhra Pradesh and parts of southern Odisha as the system moved inland.
The full extent of the damage and the number of casualties remain unclear. Initial reports indicated that there were no immediate reports of casualties. A later update reported that two people had died from electrocution in Anakapalli and Visakhapatnam districts, but the deaths require confirmation from local authorities before the overall toll can be established.
Heavy rainfall affected several districts in Andhra Pradesh during the hours surrounding the cyclone's landfall. Rainfall exceeding 200 millimetres was recorded in parts of Anakapalli, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts between 8.30 am on Tuesday and 4 am on Wednesday.
The intense rain caused flooding in some locations and left people stranded. Police rescued people caught in floodwaters in Kakinada, while three other people were reported stranded at warehouses operated by the Central Water Commission amid flooding and power disruption. Further assessments are needed to determine the full extent of the flooding and the number of people requiring assistance.
The storm also damaged roads and other infrastructure. Fallen trees and electricity poles affected local services, while homes and coastal roads were reported damaged. The Uppada coastal road was reported to have been washed away, raising concerns about access to affected communities and the movement of emergency services.
Air and rail transport also faced disruption as the cyclone approached the coast. Flight operations at airports in coastal Andhra Pradesh were affected, with reported disruption involving Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry and Vijayawada. Cancellations were also reported at Kolkata airport. The latest operating status of the affected airports and the number of flights still cancelled require further confirmation.
Rail services were also affected by precautionary measures and disruption associated with the storm. Passengers travelling through affected areas were advised to check current service information, as schedules could change depending on weather conditions and the state of railway infrastructure.
Authorities began preparations before the cyclone reached the coast. More than 180,000 people were reported evacuated across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Separate reports said at least 89,000 people had been evacuated in Andhra Pradesh. Odisha also carried out evacuation operations in vulnerable areas, although the number of people actually moved to safety varied between reports.
The evacuations aimed to protect residents in low lying coastal areas and other locations exposed to flooding and strong winds. Cyclone shelters and temporary accommodation were prepared, while disaster response teams were deployed to support rescue and relief operations.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation with officials and directed them to prioritise clearing blocked roads, restoring electricity supplies and providing food and drinking water at relief camps. Officials were also instructed to assess damage to agricultural and horticultural crops.
The state had prepared cyclone shelters and deployed National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force teams to assist affected communities. Their responsibilities included responding to emergencies, supporting rescue operations and helping authorities manage the consequences of the storm.
In neighbouring Odisha, the state government also took precautionary measures as the cyclone approached. Evacuations were planned for vulnerable communities, and arrangements were made to accommodate residents in shelters. Educational institutions in several exposed districts were ordered to remain closed on 28 and 29 October as a safety measure.
Although Arnab weakened after crossing the coast, the danger did not end with landfall. Heavy rainfall can continue to cause flooding after a cyclone loses strength, particularly where drainage systems are overwhelmed or rivers and streams rise rapidly. Damaged roads and electricity infrastructure may also delay relief operations and the restoration of essential services.
The India Meteorological Department continued to monitor the system and its movement inland. Residents in affected districts were urged to follow official weather warnings and local safety instructions while authorities assessed the damage and responded to emergencies.
The Bay of Bengal region is regularly exposed to tropical cyclones, making early warnings, evacuation plans and emergency shelters important parts of disaster preparedness. Odisha has experienced devastating cyclones in the past, including the 1999 super cyclone, which killed nearly 10,000 people.
The immediate priorities following Arnab's landfall are to establish the number of casualties, assess the damage and ensure that people in flooded areas receive assistance. Further assessments will be needed to determine the impact on homes, agriculture, transport and electricity supplies across the affected states.
As emergency operations continue, the cyclone's weakening offers some relief, but heavy rain and flooding remain concerns. Authorities are expected to gain a clearer picture of the damage as conditions permit access to affected communities and district officials complete their assessments.