In Brief
- Risk Assessment: Official evaluations confirmed that 10,176 households spanning 37 vulnerable villages in Visakhapatnam district face direct threat from the cyclone.
- Relief Infrastructure: Authorities have set up 54 relief camps to accommodate over 31,400 residents living in low-lying and coastal areas.
- Imminent Landfall: IMD forecasts the severe cyclonic storm will cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by forenoon on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
- Wind and Rainfall Alert: Peak sustained winds of 115–125 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 140 km/h, are expected alongside heavy rainfall.
Visakhapatnam Braces for Severe Storm Impact
Local administrative authorities in Visakhapatnam intensified emergency measures on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, after identifying 10,176 households in 37 coastal villages facing significant risk from the approaching storm.
To minimize potential casualties and protect communities, the district set up 54 relief camps with capacity for over 31,400 people. Multi-agency response units, guided by 11 mandal-level officers, have begun evacuations from vulnerable dwellings to safe shelters.
Statewide Red Alert and Precautionary Actions
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a Red Alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Arnab intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
Across Andhra Pradesh, state agencies have readied 1,763 cyclone shelters and set up 2,907 control rooms across affected districts. Flight advisories and train cancellations have been instituted across key regional transport hubs, including Visakhapatnam Airport, to protect public safety as rough sea conditions and squally winds worsen ahead of landfall.
This is a developing story.
