Very Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Arnab' Approaches Andhra Pradesh Coast, IMD Issues Warnings

According to a report by The Hindu published on October 27, 2026, very severe cyclonic storm “Arnab” is hurtling towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, bringing rain to several southern Odisha districts.

As reported, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the system over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 25 kmph over the preceding six hours. On October 27, 2026, the storm was centered approximately 300 km southeast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, and hundreds of kilometers away from other regional points including Kakinada, Gopalpur, Machilipatnam, Bapatla, and Sri Vijaya Puram.

Forecast and Track

• Movement: The IMD reported that the storm is very likely to continue moving west-northwestwards until the evening of October 27, and subsequently move northwestwards.
• Landfall Expectation: The system is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28, 2026.
• Intensity: It is projected to make landfall as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph, gusting up to 140 kmph.

Rainfall Predictions

• Heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted at a few places.
• Extremely heavy rainfall is anticipated at one or two places in specific districts, including Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri.

Readers seeking to verify the original announcements can consult official updates released directly by the India Meteorological Department or check official bulletins on trusted meteorological platforms.