Andhra Pradesh is preparing for a possible cyclone landfall on Wednesday (October 28), as the weather system over the Bay of Bengal moves towards the coast. According to the IMD, Odisha will experience heavy rain and strong winds, while continued showers have caused waterlogging in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
What IMD said
The system is expected to become a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26. As per the IMD, it is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam around the forenoon of October 28, with sustained winds of 115-125 kmph and gusts of up to 140 kmph.
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The system began as a low-pressure area over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. It developed into a depression on October 24 and is forecast to move west-northwestwards, first becoming a deep depression and then a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
If it becomes a cyclonic storm, it will be named Arnab. Bangladesh contributed the name, which means “ocean” in Bengali.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said winds over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal were reaching 35-45 kmph, with gusts of up to 55 kmph, at the time of his statement.
Odisha prepares emergency response
In Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has asked officials to prepare for evacuations and take steps to protect residents to prevent casualties.
Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri will be closed on October 28 and 29. Collectors in other districts will decide whether to close educational institutions based on local conditions.
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The state has cancelled leave for district collectors, district magistrates and officers in critical offices, directing them to return to their headquarters.
Odisha has deployed around 60 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams, 17 National Disaster Response Force teams and 225 Fire Services teams. Officials have been told to shift residents from vulnerable areas, with priority given to elderly people, patients and pregnant women.
Ganjam District Collector Keerthi Vasan V said 100 cyclone shelters were ready, and 1,000 temporary locations had been identified for possible evacuations.
Red warning issued for five Odisha districts
The IMD has issued a red warning for Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam for October 28. The forecast calls for very heavy rain, with isolated downpours exceeding 20 cm. Rain between October 27 and 29 may bring thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 60-70 kmph.
Also Read: Heavy rains pound Chennai as monsoon enters active phase; yellow alert in 17 districts
Fishermen have been advised not to go to sea from October 24. Those already in deep waters have been asked to return to the coast. Farmers have also been urged to protect their crops from rain and strong winds.
Heavy rain causes waterlogging in Puducherry
Since Saturday night, rain in Puducherry has caused waterlogging along Coast Road and in Krishna Nagar and Laspet Sarum. Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast across Puducherry, Karaikal and adjoining Tamil Nadu districts. Residents have asked the local government to drain the accumulated water.
Cyclone warning signals have been raised at nine ports, including Chennai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Karaikal, Pamban and Thoothukudi.