Cyclone Arnab: IMD issues Red Alert in Odisha, 225 rescue teams on standby

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for five districts in southern Odisha as a weather system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. The Odisha government has cancelled leave for disaster response personnel and placed 225 rescue teams on high alert to deal with possible flooding, landslides and damage caused by strong winds.

Although the cyclone is forecast to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha is likely to experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, particularly in its southern districts. The IMD has warned of wind speeds reaching 50-60 kmph, with gusts of up to 70 kmph in areas under the red alert.

Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, said on Sunday that the depression over the east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal was expected to strengthen over the coming days.

Cyclone Arnab: IMD Forecasts Landfall On October 28

"As of now, the depression lies over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, and it is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression by today, 25th October. It is also likely to intensify further and become a cyclonic storm by the morning of 26th October, and into a severe cyclonic storm on 27th October. Thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestward, intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm, and reach the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast around the morning of 28th October," Mohanty told ANI.

She said the system was expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28.

"It is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm by the forenoon of 28th October. While crossing the coast, the wind speed will be around 115 to 125 km/h, gusting to 140 km/h. Because of this, Odisha is likely to be impacted by rainfall activity and wind speed as well. However, the rainfall impact will be more significant," she added.

According to the IMD, the system was centred at 11.30 am on October 25 around 870 km east-south-east of Visakhapatnam, 960 km east-south-east of Kakinada and 1,130 km east of Bapatla.

The weather agency has forecast that the system will intensify into a cyclonic storm over the east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal by the early hours of October 26. It is then expected to move west-north-westwards, strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 27, and become a very severe cyclonic storm by October 28.

Red Alert For Five Odisha Districts

The IMD has issued a red alert for Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts for October 28. These areas are likely to experience extremely heavy rainfall, with the possibility of flooding and landslides, particularly in hilly areas.

"After landfall, it is likely to move close to Malkangiri district, but it will remain in Andhra Pradesh. Because of this, we are expecting extremely heavy rainfall... Landslides may also occur because we are expecting very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, especially in the hilly areas," Mohanty said.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also forecast in Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Balangir, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Bargarh and Nuapada on October 28.

Rainfall is expected to remain widespread on October 29 before easing considerably from October 30.

Fishermen Warned Against Venturing Into Sea

The IMD has issued maritime warnings as the cyclone approaches the eastern coastline. Distant Cautionary Signal No. 1 has been hoisted at all ports in Odisha.

Sea conditions along the Odisha coast are expected to remain rough to very rough, with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph and gusts reaching 60 kmph.

Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea until October 29. Authorities have also been asked to monitor coastal areas and prepare for possible weather-related emergencies.

Odisha Deploys 225 Rescue Teams, Cancels Staff Leave

The Odisha government has stepped up disaster preparedness, placing specialised response teams and equipment on standby across vulnerable districts.

Odisha Chief Fire Officer Ramesh Majhi said 225 teams had been proposed for deployment across the affected regions, with coverage planned at block headquarters.

"...we have proposed the deployment of a total of 225 teams across these regions, ensuring coverage at the block-headquarters level. These teams are equipped with 225 vehicles, including towing and transport vehicles for the movement of personnel. In the event of a severe storm, we have 1,510 high-power chainsaws ready for use...25 rescue tenders have been provided for critical situations...12 plasma cutters have been supplied. Furthermore, 225 tower lights have been distributed among the teams to facilitate operations during the evening or night," Majhi said.

He added that leave for personnel across the state had been cancelled and that response teams were on high alert under direct government supervision.

The equipment and vehicles are intended to support rescue operations, clear fallen trees and debris, and help people affected by flooding or infrastructure damage.

Andhra Pradesh And South Odisha Under Cyclone Alert

On Saturday, the IMD issued a cyclone alert, or orange message, for the Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts as the system continued to intensify over the Bay of Bengal.

The depression is expected to strengthen in stages before reaching the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. The forecast landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, with sustained winds of 115-125 kmph and gusts of up to 140 kmph, has prompted authorities in both states to prepare for severe weather.

While Andhra Pradesh is expected to face the cyclone's direct impact, Odisha is preparing for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and possible landslides in vulnerable areas. The IMD and state authorities have urged residents to follow official advisories as the system develops.

(With ANI inputs)