The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Mulugu as Cyclone Arnab is expected to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to Telangana on October 28, raising the risk of waterlogging, overflowing streams and disruption to road connectivity in vulnerable areas.
The warning follows the development of a well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. The system is expected to intensify into a depression on October 25 and a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26, according to S. Stella, head scientist at IMD-Hyderabad.
Stella said the system was likely to move west-northwestwards and reach the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast around the morning of October 28. Its proximity to the coast and continued movement towards the west-northwest are expected to increase rainfall activity across Telangana, particularly in the eastern and southern districts.
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mahbubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda and Suryapet. Heavy rain is also expected in parts of Mancherial, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jangaon, Nalgonda, Siddipet and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri.
On October 27, isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are likely in Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahbubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda and Jayashankar Bhupalpally. The forecast places added pressure on local road networks and low-lying settlements where intense rain can quickly affect movement and access.
Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to remain alert to possible waterlogging and overflowing streams. Farmers and commuters have also been urged to monitor local weather advisories, particularly because thunderstorms and strong winds may accompany the rainfall.
For October 29, the IMD has forecast isolated heavy rain in eastern Telangana, including Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Mahbubabad, Nalgonda, Suryapet and Mancherial. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are also likely at isolated places across the state.
Hyderabad is expected to experience partly cloudy skies and morning haze over the next 48 hours, with temperatures likely to remain around 33°C during the day and 21°C at night. Residents across affected districts have been advised to follow subsequent IMD and local administration updates as the system develops.
