The Cyclone Arnab intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 in the west-central Bay of Bengal. The IMD forecast that the storm would cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam by the morning of Wednesday, October 28.
The expected landfall zone lies between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, a coastal area in the Union Territory of Puducherry. Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states are taking measures to prepare for the cyclone’s approach to the coast.
According to the IMD, the storm could bring sustained wind speeds of 115-125 km/h and gusts up to 140 km/h. The storm’s effects on coastal communities, buildings, power lines and transport services may be grave for coastal communities, buildings, power lines and transport services.
Which areas could be affected?
The approaching cyclone is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam. There could be very heavy rainfall in isolated areas and strong winds and rough seas can affect coastal districts.
The IMD also warned that the storm could also affect weather conditions in southern Odisha and neighbouring regions. The extent of the impact will depend on the cyclone's movement, intensity and rainfall pattern.
Residents living in low-lying and vulnerable coastal areas should be warned to remain on high alert and to follow the advice from local authorities. Fishermen are also advised not to go into affected parts of the Bay of Bengal during the warning period.
In the meantime, authorities step up Cyclone Preparations.
The Andhra Pradesh government and disaster management agencies have ramped up preparations as the landfall is expected. Emergency response teams have been put in place and people are also prepared to move to safer shelters if needed.
The central government has also reviewed preparedness measures through the National Crisis Management Committee. According to a Press Information Bureau update on October 26, disaster response teams, evacuation arrangements and control rooms were being prepared in affected states.
Odisha also has beefed up its measures as heavy rain and strong winds could hit parts of the state. Emergency coordination and monitoring of vulnerable areas have been put in place, officials said.
Local authorities have also advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel in areas facing severe weather and to stay away from beaches, flooded roads and other dangerous places.
#WATCH | Rough sea conditions prevail in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam, as an effect of Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Arnab' over over the west-central Bay of Bengal. It is likely to cross the coast near Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, by tomorrow morning. https://t.co/Pz61IPDrCK
— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2026
Why is Yanam in focus?
Yanam is a coastal area of Puducherry located in Andhra Pradesh. The fact that it is situated near the predicted landfall location has made it one of the locations to be closely watched as Cyclone Arnab approaches.
The forecast track has the landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam. But a cyclone's precise path and the location where its centre crosses the coast can change, so residents should follow the latest official weather bulletins.
Strong winds, heavy rainfall and flood risk are the top three main concerns for the storm.
When Is Cyclone Arnab Supposed to Make Landfall?
On October 27, 2026, the IMD forecast that Cyclone Arnab would cross the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast by the forenoon of October 28 as a very severe cyclonic storm.
The forecast is subject to change as meteorologists continue to monitor the system. Residents should monitor updates from the IMD and local disaster management authorities, follow evacuation instructions where issued, and avoid using unverified social media messages.
The immediate priority seems to be the survival of lives of the people in the area; the protection of vulnerable communities, and for emergency services to be prepared before the cyclone hits the coast.
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