As Cyclone Arnab gathers strength over the Bay of Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are racing to protect vulnerable communities before the storm reaches the eastern coastline. With winds forecast to reach 125 kmph and gusts potentially touching 140 kmph, the immediate challenge is to move people out of danger, safeguard essential services and ensure that rescue teams can respond quickly. From the identification of thousands of residents for evacuation to the relocation of expectant mothers, preparations are intensifying ahead of the cyclone's anticipated landfall on October 28.
The approaching cyclone Arnab has placed disaster management agencies in both states, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on heightened alert. Although the extent of the eventual damage will depend on the cyclone's trajectory and intensity at landfall, the scale of the preparations reflects the risks posed by powerful winds, heavy rainfall and possible disruption across coastal settlements.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that Cyclone Arnab will cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coastline between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28. The system has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
According to the IMD's Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, the cyclone travelled west-northwestwards at around 23 kmph during the six hours preceding 11.30 pm on October 26. At that time, its centre was located near latitude 15.9°N and longitude 86.0°E.
The storm was approximately 350 km southeast of Visakhapatnam and 400 km south-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha. It was also about 420 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 520 km east of Machilipatnam and 590 km east of Bapatla.
The weather agency expected the system to maintain its west-northwestward movement until the evening of October 27 before turning northwestwards towards the coast. Maximum sustained wind speeds were forecast at 115–125 kmph, with gusts reaching 140 kmph. The Doppler Weather Radar at Visakhapatnam is being used to track the cyclone's movement.
In Odisha's Gajapati district, preparations have focused on identifying people who may face the greatest difficulties during the cyclone. The administration has identified 15,000 vulnerable residents for evacuation and made 281 cyclone and temporary shelters available.
District Collector and Magistrate Akshay Sunil Agrawal said preparations had begun two days earlier following government forecasts. An orange warning was issued for October 27–28, followed by a red warning for October 28–29.
The shelters have been equipped with food, drinking water, sanitation facilities and sleeping arrangements. These provisions are essential not only for accommodating evacuated families but also for ensuring that people can remain in safe locations if adverse weather prevents them from returning home immediately.
Healthcare preparedness has received particular attention. The district administration has arranged to relocate 210 pregnant women whose deliveries are expected within the next 15 days. They are being shifted to maternity homes, Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres to ensure that medical assistance remains accessible during the emergency.
The decision addresses a critical concern during severe weather: the possibility that damaged roads, disrupted transport or other obstacles could delay access to hospitals when urgent care is required.
Authorities are also preparing for landslides in susceptible areas. Public address systems are being used to spread awareness, while heavy machinery, including JCB equipment, has been positioned to deal with potential obstructions and emergencies.
The district has ten fire service teams, two Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams and one National Disaster Response Force team available for response operations across various blocks. Their readiness will be important if evacuations, rescue missions or emergency road-clearance operations become necessary.
For both states, the immediate priority is to translate forecasts into effective action on the ground. Identifying vulnerable residents is only the first step; successful evacuation also requires timely communication, accessible transport, sufficient shelter capacity and special arrangements for people who need medical assistance.
The availability of emergency teams and heavy equipment provides an important foundation for responding to landslides, blocked roads and other disruptions. Equally important will be ensuring that residents follow official advisories and avoid beaches, coastal roads and other exposed areas during dangerous conditions.
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