The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall warning in several states in view of Cyclone Arnab. Heavy to very heavy rains are forecast in parts of Bengal, Odisha and southern states, and a landslide warning has been issued for Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. The Meteorological Department has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along the coast of West Bengal and Odisha and the Bay of North Bay of Bengal till Friday, as strong winds of 55 to 65 km per hour will be expected there.
Odisha’s Malkangiri district is gearing up to deal with the impact of the cyclone after a red alert was issued. The district administration has intensified disaster response efforts, keeping relief teams on standby and deploying heavy machinery to ensure “zero casualties”. Malkangiri Collector Prathamesh Arvind Rajeshirk said heavy rains are expected by Wednesday evening as the cyclone hits land and the rains are likely to continue till Thursday morning.