VISAKHAPATNAM, BHUBANESWAR: Cyclone Arnab has moved west-northwestwards over Eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal in the past few hours, and is expected to make landfall on Andhra Pradesh coast around October 28, intensifying into a ‘severe cyclonic storm’, the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) said on Monday.
“It is very likely to move northwestwards, intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm and reach Westcentral Bay of Bengal near Andhra Pradesh coast around morning of 28th October, 2026. It is very likely to cross Andhra Pradesh & Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm with the maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph by forenoon of 28th October, 2026,” IMD’s Bhubaneshwar unit said in an official statement.
Giving an update on the deep depression off the Bay of Bengal, the storm is centered over the same region as of 11 pm on October 25, and moving towards the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
#Cyclonic storm “#Arnab” [Pronunciation :#Ornab]” https://t.co/B7TAgFj3Ik
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 26, 2026
“The Deep Depression over Eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centered at 2330 hours IST of yesterday, the 25th October, 2026 over the same region, near Latitude 15.3°N and Longitude 89.7°E, about 520 km north-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman Islands), 730 km east-southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 820 km east-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 920 km east-Southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 990 km east of Bapatla (Andhra Pradesh),” IMD’s Bhubaneshwar unit said in an official statement.
The weather agency expects the cyclonic storm to continue at speeds of 75 kilometeres per hour, with winds increasing to 100-125 kilometres per hour on October 27 (Tuesday), turning into a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’, until the storm moves north side with reduced wind speeds.
Odisha is “fully prepared” for the incoming cyclone Arnab, with constant inter-departmental meetings and discussions being held, including with officials from the Indian Meteorological Department. Cyclone Arnab is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast around October 27th or 28th.
“Given the projected high intensity of this cyclone, high-level meetings have been held, including discussions between our officials and those from the IMD. It has been confirmed that a major cyclone is expected; however, the positive aspect is that Odisha is fully prepared. Our state and district administrations, in coordination with the police and our specialised response force, ODRAF, are completely ready,” Odisha ADG (Law & Order), Sanjay Kumar said.
#WATCH | Bhubaneswar, Odisha: On preparations ahead of Cyclone Arnab, IGP of Fire and Emergency Services Dr. Umashankar Dash says, “In view of the cyclone forecast, six districts have been identified as a focus: Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Gajapati and Ganjam… We are expecting strong winds, heavy rainfall and possible landslides. To mitigate these risks, we are deploying 225 teams of fire personnel, along with equipment and highly sophisticated vehicles. More than 100 boats are also being deployed in various areas… A state-level command centre is operating round the clock to monitor every rescue operation and situation. If required, additional manpower, equipment and vehicles will be deployed…”
— ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2026
Around 20 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams are deployed and have started working on disaster preparedness on the ground now, with officials laying out a three-phase plan to tackle the incoming cyclone. A total of 60 teams will be deployed in these three phases.
“There are 20 teams; each of them will be deployed in three phases, coming up to 60 teams. Apart from that, we are also bringing in older, trained ODRAF personnel; we have coordinated well with NDRF. From district level to block level, we will have good preparation,” the ADG said.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), “Deep Depression intensified into Cyclonic Storm “Arnab” [Pronunciation: Ornab] over Eastcentral and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal [Cyclone Warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Odisha coasts].”
“It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over westcentral Bay of Bengal by midnight of today, the 26th October and into a very severe cyclonic storm over the same region on 27th October,” the IMD added.
Talking about preparations for the cyclonic storm, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Central Range, Cuttack, Satyajit Nayak, said on Sunday that police and disaster response teams had been deployed in vulnerable coastal districts of Odisha and that all Superintendents of Police (SSPs) had been directed to take preventive measures and coordinate with the district administration to deal with any emergency.
The Odisha government has cancelled leaves of all disaster personnel and mobilised 225 rescue teams on high alert across vulnerable districts. Nayak said four teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) had been deployed in each of the districts of Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, and Khordha.
Highlighting the emergency response arrangements, Nayak said control rooms were operational round the clock in all districts and urged people to contact them in case of an emergency.
In Tamil Nadu, mechanised boat fishermen are staying ashore due to cyclone warning. Following a cyclone warning issued for Thoothukudi district, mechanised boat fishermen did not venture into the sea for fishing today as a precautionary measure.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to remain on high alert and ensure maximum preparedness at every level to minimise the impact of the approaching Cyclone Arnab.
As the Meteorological Department’s forecast of severe weather conditions, the Chief Minister instructed all departments to work in close coordination and ensure that people do not face difficulties. In a review meeting here on Monday, CM Naidu directed district administrations to establish control rooms and provide timely guidance to the public.
Odisha is bracing for the impact of cyclone Arnab, with CM Mohan Charan Majhi saying the state government had reviewed the possible impact of the cyclone and assigned specific responsibilities to departments to ensure preparedness ahead of the system’s expected landfall. (ANI)
