More than 180,000 people evacuated; flooding, damaged infrastructure and transport disruptions raise concerns across eastern India
Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and powerful winds that uprooted trees, damaged houses and disrupted electricity supplies. Authorities in Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha stepped up emergency operations as the storm's effects extended beyond the landfall zone. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts as a very severe cyclonic storm, packing sustained winds of 125–135 kmph and gusts of up to 150 kmph. By 8.30 am, the system had weakened into a severe cyclonic storm, according to reports citing the department. Reuters reported that more than 180,000 people had been evacuated across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha ahead of the cyclone's arrival. Its latest account reported no deaths in the two states at that time, although fallen trees, damaged electricity infrastructure and transport disruptions were already being reported. The immediate concerns are flooding, damage to homes and crops, blocked roads and prolonged interruptions to essential services.
Andhra Pradesh bears the brunt
Coastal Andhra Pradesh has faced the most immediate impact, with torrential rain and strong winds affecting several districts. NDTV, citing IMD observations, reported rainfall totals up to 8.30 am on Wednesday of 315 mm in Visakhapatnam, 301 mm in Vizianagaram, 275 mm in Anakapalli, 257 mm in Srikakulam and 223 mm in Krishna district.
The intense rainfall has raised concerns about inundation in low-lying settlements, agricultural losses and damage to roads and public infrastructure. Reuters reported that trees had fallen on highways and electricity poles had been uprooted. Residents in Kakinada district also reported damage to houses and belongings. Before landfall, the IMD warned of a possible storm surge that could inundate low-lying coastal areas. Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea, while fishing boats were secured ahead of the storm. Air travel was also disrupted. Reuters reported the suspension of operations at three airports in Andhra Pradesh, while airlines cancelled flights to Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. Although the cyclone has weakened after crossing the coast, heavy rainfall and localised flooding may continue. The extent of the damage will become clearer as emergency teams reach affected communities and authorities conduct assessments.
Odisha faces heavy rain and flooding risks
Neighbouring Odisha has also experienced heavy rainfall, prompting precautionary evacuations and emergency preparations. The Indian Express reported that more than 48,000 people had been moved to safety in the state. Authorities had established 135 cyclone shelters and 1,600 temporary shelters, while disaster-response teams were deployed in vulnerable areas. NDTV reported rainfall totals up to Wednesday morning of 188 mm in Koraput, 161 mm in Ganjam and 135 mm in Gajapati.
The IMD warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds in several districts. Persistent rain could cause waterlogging, disrupt road connectivity and increase the risk of landslides in vulnerable locations.
Odisha's experience underscores the fact that cyclone-related hazards are not restricted to the landfall point. Rainfall and flooding can affect neighbouring districts and states even when the storm's core does not cross their territory. The immediate priorities are protecting people in vulnerable settlements, maintaining access to shelters, clearing blocked roads and restoring essential services.
West Bengal prepares for unsettled weather
West Bengal is also expected to experience rain and thunderstorms, although forecasts cited in media reports do not indicate that Arnab's centre is directly crossing the state. The Indian Express reported a yellow alert for Kolkata on Wednesday and Thursday, with light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph possible.
Several districts in south Bengal, including South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram, were forecast to experience thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in places. Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly and North 24 Parganas were also expected to receive rain.
North Bengal could see heavier rainfall later in the week. The IMD warned of rainfall of 7–11 cm in some areas between Thursday and the early hours of Sunday, 1 November.
These remain forecasts, not confirmation of actual rainfall. The distinction is important: a state can experience unsettled weather associated with a wider atmospheric system without being directly struck by a cyclone.
Wider weather alerts across India
Forecasts published by Moneycontrol on Tuesday pointed to possible heavy rainfall in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Vidarbha, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. Rain and thunderstorms were also possible in parts of east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi-NCR later in the week. Moneycontrol reported that Delhi-NCR could experience rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds on 29 and 30 October.
However, the intensity and timing of these conditions will vary by location. The extent to which Arnab contributes to weather in distant regions must be assessed through updated IMD bulletins rather than inferred from the cyclone's landfall alone. The direct destructive winds affecting coastal Andhra Pradesh should not be confused with forecasts of rain and thunderstorms farther inland. Residents should follow local and district-specific warnings.
Economic and humanitarian concerns
The impact of Cyclone Arnab is likely to extend beyond immediate wind damage. Heavy rainfall and flooding can disrupt fishing, transport, agricultural activity and local markets. Damage to houses, power lines and communication networks could also leave vulnerable communities without essential services.
The IMD warned of potential damage to crops, thatched houses and communication infrastructure. However, the total economic loss cannot yet be reliably estimated from preliminary reports. Official damage assessments will be needed to establish the impact on agriculture, housing, roads and electricity networks.
The casualty position also remains provisional. The absence of reported deaths in initial accounts is encouraging, but it should not be treated as a final toll while rescue operations and damage assessments continue.
What happens next?
The cyclone's weakening after landfall is significant, but it does not mean the danger has passed. Heavy rain can persist after winds subside, and flooding may worsen as water accumulates in low-lying areas.
The IMD's subsequent bulletins will determine the storm's inland movement, the districts facing further heavy rainfall and the likely duration of hazardous conditions. State administrations will need to focus on rescue operations, electricity restoration, road access and support for displaced residents.
Cyclone Arnab has already triggered large-scale evacuations and disrupted essential services across parts of eastern India. The next phase will test the effectiveness of emergency response and the authorities' ability to limit further losses.
The confirmed picture, based on reports available on 28 October, is of a cyclone that crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast, brought heavy rain to parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, and prompted weather alerts elsewhere. The final extent of the damage, casualty figures and wider regional effects remain subject to official assessment.
