With winds speed up to 140 kmph, monster cyclone Arnab to make landfall on Oct 28 – which coastal districts face worst wrath?

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects Cyclone Arnab to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on October 28. Wind speeds could reach 115-125 kmph, with gusts of up to 140 kmph. Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have stepped up preparations as the storm is forecast to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.

The IMD said on Monday (October 26) that the cyclone was moving west-northwestwards and would strengthen further as it approached the coast. The forecast puts coastal districts of both states on alert for strong winds and heavy rainfall.

In its bulletin, the IMD's Bhubaneswar unit said that the storm was likely to reach the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast by the morning of October 28.

“It is very likely to move northwestwards, intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm and reach Westcentral Bay of Bengal near Andhra Pradesh coast around morning of 28th October, 2026,” it said.

The cyclone was located over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal at 11.30 pm on October 25. It was about 730 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 820 km east-southeast of Kakinada and 990 km east of Bapatla.

The IMD forecast wind speeds of 75 kmph as Arnab moved closer to the coast, with stronger winds expected on October 27. The storm is likely to become a very severe cyclonic storm before reaching the coast.

Odisha to deploy 60 ODRAF teams

Odisha has activated its disaster response machinery and plans to deploy 60 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams in three phases.

ADG (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar said that 20 teams had been deployed for ground preparations. The state has also coordinated with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and brought trained ODRAF personnel into the response plan.

“Given the cyclone's projected intensity, officials have held high-level meetings, including consultations between state officials and the IMD. It has been confirmed that a major cyclone is expected; however, the positive aspect is that Odisha is fully prepared,” Kumar told ANI.

He said that state and district administrations were working with the police and disaster response teams to prepare for emergencies.

The Odisha government has cancelled leave for disaster management personnel and placed 225 rescue teams on high alert across vulnerable districts. Police and disaster response units have been deployed in coastal areas, while district control rooms are operating round the clock.

Satyajit Nayak, inspector general of police, central range, Cuttack, said that four ODRAF teams had been deployed in each of Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Khordha districts. Superintendents of Police have been directed to coordinate with district administrations and take preventive measures.

Andhra Pradesh CM orders high alert

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has instructed officials to maintain high alert and ensure preparations across departments. At a review meeting on Monday, he directed district administrations to set up control rooms and provide timely information to residents.

He also asked departments to coordinate their response and ensure that people in vulnerable areas receive assistance during severe weather.

In Tamil Nadu, mechanised boat fishermen in Thoothukudi district did not venture out to sea on Monday following a cyclone warning. Fishermen have been advised to follow official weather alerts as conditions over the Bay of Bengal deteriorate.