Cyclone Arnab is expected to make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, on Wednesday, prompting red rainfall warnings across 11 Andhra Pradesh districts, school closures, a fishing ban and the cancellation of more than 50 trains.
The very severe cyclonic storm was centred about 260 km southeast of Visakhapatnam, 300 km east-southeast of Kakinada and 390 km east of Machilipatnam on Tuesday, according to the weather information cited in the report. It was moving nearly westwards at 22 kmph and was expected to turn west-northwestwards before moving northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast.
The storm is forecast to cross the coast on Wednesday afternoon with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115–125 kmph and gusts reaching 140 kmph. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on Tuesday and Wednesday, while rainfall and strong winds had already begun in parts of Kakinada, Konaseema, Anakapalle and Visakhapatnam.
The India Meteorological Department has issued its highest-level red warning for extremely heavy rainfall in Anakapalle, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari and Eluru, as well as Yanam, for Tuesday. An orange warning covers Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Visakhapatnam, NTR, Krishna, Guntur and Bapatla districts. Palnadu, Prakasam and Nellore are under a yellow warning.
For Wednesday, red warnings have been issued for Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalle, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Krishna and Guntur districts. Orange warnings cover Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram and Bapatla, along with Yanam, while Palnadu, Prakasam and Nellore remain under a yellow warning.
The Andhra Pradesh government has closed educational institutions in coastal districts, prohibited sea fishing operations and kept rescue teams on standby at multiple locations. The measures are intended to protect residents and limit damage to infrastructure as the storm approaches the coast.
South Central Railway cancelled more than 50 trains operating between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Kakinada, and other destinations on Tuesday and Wednesday because of the cyclone threat. Passengers have been advised to check train-specific cancellation details, confirm their journey dates and verify train status before travelling to stations.
Flight operations to and from Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada may also be affected by the weather. As of Tuesday, the report said there were no flight cancellations from ASR International Airport and Bhogapuram, with operations continuing normally. Travellers have been advised to confirm flight status with airlines before leaving for the airport.
