Cyclone Arnab made landfall along India’s eastern coast on Wednesday, bringing fierce gales and heavy rainfall that disrupted normal life across the region.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority reported that the landfall process remained stationary for two hours as the severe weather system pushed ashore.
Officials in Andhra Pradesh evacuated 84,396 residents and moved them into 290 designated relief shelters, according to reports by All India Radio. A total of 2,199 shelters were prepared across the state to handle displaced populations.
The storm uprooted trees and damaged local infrastructure as strong winds battered coastal areas.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority issued public warnings through social media. “The chance of completely crossing the shore by afternoon. Strong gusty winds and rains continue along the shore. People should remain vigilant even today,” the agency said on X.
Authorities in both Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha ordered educational institutions to close as a safety precaution. Fishing operations along the coastline were suspended, and emergency rescue personnel were placed on standby to respond to potential hazards.
Further south, the administration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands ordered schools to shut down for two days starting Tuesday.
India’s Meteorological Department traced the origins of the storm to a deep depression over the east-central and southeastern Bay of Bengal that tracked westward before intensifying into Cyclone Arnab.
