Cyclone Arnab strengthened over the Bay of Bengal on Monday, October 26, as the storm continued moving towards India’s east coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red-level cyclone warning for the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Odisha, warning that the system could intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before making landfall.
According to the IMD bulletin, the system intensified from a deep depression into Cyclone Arnab after moving nearly westwards at around 15 km/h over the previous six hours. At 5:30 a.m. IST on October 26, the storm was centred near 15.4°N latitude and 88.9°E longitude over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.
At that time, the cyclone was approximately 650 kilometres east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 730 kilometres east-southeast of Kakinada and 910 kilometres east of Bapatla. It was also located around 590 kilometres northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Cyclone Arnab Forecast to Intensify Further
The IMD expects Cyclone Arnab to move west-northwestwards and strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by midnight on October 26. Further intensification into a very severe cyclonic storm is likely on October 27.
The storm is then forecast to turn northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. Current projections indicate that it could cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam during the forenoon of Wednesday, October 28.
Winds Could Reach 125 km/h
The cyclone is forecast to bring maximum sustained winds of 115–125 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 140 km/h, during the expected landfall period.
Such conditions could create dangerous weather along coastal areas, particularly where strong winds and heavy rainfall occur together. Coastal communities and people living in vulnerable areas should closely follow official warnings and instructions from local authorities.
Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha on Alert
The red-level warning highlights the seriousness of the developing system and the potential threat to coastal districts. Residents should monitor updated IMD bulletins, follow evacuation instructions if issued, and avoid unnecessary travel in areas affected by severe weather.
The storm’s exact track, landfall timing and intensity may change as it approaches the coast. Further official updates will be important over the next two days as Cyclone Arnab continues to develop over the Bay of Bengal.