Cyclone Arnab makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh, triggers mass evacuations
• Cyclone Arnab, classified as a 'very severe cyclonic storm', made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on 4 November
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported sustained wind speeds of 125-135 km/h, with gusts reaching 150 km/h. Heavy rainfall and strong gales have been reported in Kakinada and surrounding areas, causing significant disruption. Nearly 100,000 people have been evacuated from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as a precautionary measure. The storm has also impacted neighbouring countries, with Sri Lanka closing schools and Nepal issuing warnings for heavy rainfall and potential avalanches.
Impact & Risks
The IMD has warned of 'total destruction' of thatched houses, localised flooding, and widespread damage to crops. Power and communication infrastructure are at risk due to the uprooting of poles. In Andhra Pradesh, 50,000 people have been relocated, while 48,000 have been evacuated in Odisha. Coastal areas, including Kakinada, are experiencing heavy waves and flooding. Sri Lanka and Nepal are also bracing for secondary impacts, including flash floods and snowstorms in mountainous regions.
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