Cyclone Arnab is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight on Monday (October 26) and a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday (October 27), before crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday (October 28) morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The storm is likely to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph and gusts of up to 140 kmph by forenoon on October 28.
In its latest bulletin, the IMD said the cyclone was moving west-northwestwards at 15 kmph. It was located about 590 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 650 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 730 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 830 km east of Machilipatnam and 910 km east of Bapatla.
Heavy rain forecast
The cyclone is expected to bring thunderstorms accompanied by lightning to isolated places in Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema.
Also read: Cyclone Arnab: Red alert in 5 Odisha districts; leaves cancelled, schools to be closed
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy rain at isolated places, over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on October 27 and 28. Heavy rainfall is also likely in parts of these regions on October 29.
Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) Managing Director Prakhar Jain said the next three days would be crucial and urged people to remain alert and follow safety precautions.
He cautioned residents against lowering their guard as the cyclone continued to develop over the Bay of Bengal, advising those in coastal areas to follow official advisories and take necessary precautions.
Odisha steps up preparedness
The Odisha government has stepped up precautionary measures in six southern districts in view of the cyclone’s expected landfall in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh within 48 hours.
Fishing activities in the sea have been prohibited, and tourists have been barred from visiting hills, waterfalls, dams and other scenic destinations in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur, officials said on Monday.
Also read: Andhra Pradesh braces for possible cyclone on October 28; Odisha issues red alert
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has deputed eight ministers to different locations to oversee preparedness, while rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire and Emergency Services and the police have been deployed in vulnerable areas.
Odisha Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the state would take no chances despite the cyclone being forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast.
The minister said the weather system was projected to move into parts of Odisha after landfall. He added that the state government was fully prepared and there was no reason for people to panic.
Schools to remain closed
Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in the six vulnerable districts will remain closed on October 28 and 29, the minister said.
The government has also cancelled leave for employees in the identified districts and opened control rooms to coordinate relief and rescue operations.
The Agriculture Department has advised farmers to harvest and safely store crops that are 80-85 per cent mature. Dedicated agricultural helplines have also been set up to assist farmers, Pujari said.
(With agency inputs)