Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on Wednesday morning before weakening from a very severe cyclonic storm into a severe cyclonic storm, but its impact continues to be felt across eastern India. Odisha witnessed heavy rainfall, with Chandbali and Dhamnagar recording more than 50 mm of rain, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of intense precipitation, thunderstorms and strong winds across several districts. Authorities have stepped up precautionary measures as the weather system continues to pose risks to vulnerable coastal and inland areas.
Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast early Wednesday, bringing heavy rain, powerful winds and widespread disruption to several parts of the state. Although the landfall process has been completed and the system has weakened from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm, adverse weather conditions continue to threaten several areas of eastern India.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on Wednesday morning, moving entirely over land. During the landfall phase, the system generated sustained winds of 125 to 135 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 150 kmph. The storm was moving northwestwards at approximately 3 kmph, prompting authorities to maintain heightened vigilance in vulnerable areas.
The cyclone's effects were also evident in Odisha, where heavy rainfall was reported in several locations. Chandbali and Dhamnagar recorded more than 50 mm of rainfall, while visuals shared by news agency PTI showed intense rain in parts of the state. The IMD has warned that the system could trigger further heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong surface winds in multiple districts.
Southern Odisha is among the areas facing a heightened weather threat. The meteorological department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy showers possible at isolated locations in Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri. These districts could also experience thunderstorms, lightning and surface winds of 60 to 80 kmph, with gusts reaching 90 kmph.
An orange warning has been issued for Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Balangir, Bargarh, Puri, Khordha, Sonepur, Boudh and Nayagarh. Heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and winds of 40 to 50 kmph, with gusts of up to 60 kmph, are expected in these areas.
The weather department has also placed Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur and Cuttack under a yellow warning. These districts may receive heavy rainfall at isolated places, along with thunderstorms and winds of 30 to 40 kmph, occasionally gusting to 50 kmph.
For Odisha, the immediate concern is the possibility of continued heavy rainfall and strong winds across a broad stretch of the state. In Andhra Pradesh, the focus remains on assessing damage, clearing obstructions and restoring disrupted services. As Cyclone Arnab moves farther inland and gradually loses strength, the extent of its remaining impact will depend on the persistence of rainfall and the evolution of local weather conditions.
Leave Your Comment