Very severe Cyclone Arnab is moving toward the Andhra Pradesh coast. It may cross land near Yanam by forenoon on October 28 with winds up to 140 kmph.
Updated: October 27, 2026, 9:50 AM IST
Quick Read:
- Arnab is now a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.
- It may cross the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by forenoon on October 28.
- Andhra Pradesh has put out a red warning, and Odisha has shut schools in six southern districts.
Where the storm is right now
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its 2:30 am bulletin on October 27 that Arnab had moved west-northwest at about 25 kmph. At that time, it was centred about 300 km southeast of Visakhapatnam. It was also about 360 km east-southeast of Kakinada. And it was about 380 km south of Gopalpur in Odisha.
Those numbers come from the IMD bulletin, as reported by The Indian Express and The Hindu. The storm has not made landfall yet. That point is key. News reports on October 27 talk about a landfall that is still to come, not one that has already happened.
The IMD expects the storm to keep moving west-northwest till the evening of October 27. After that, it is likely to turn northwest. Then it may cross the coast. The expected landfall window is by forenoon on October 28.
Also read: Cyclone Arnab service post
How strong will it be at landfall?
At landfall, sustained winds may reach 115 to 125 kmph. Gusts may touch 140 kmph. Those are the IMD’s figures, as reported on October 27.
Winds at that speed can break branches. They can bring down weak poles and hoardings. They can damage kutcha houses. They can also cut power in some areas for a time. People near the coast should stay indoors during the worst hours, unless officials ask them to move.
The IMD has given a red warning for Andhra Pradesh. It has also warned adjoining south Odisha. A red warning means: take action now. It is the highest level of warning for severe weather.
Rain: where, and when
Very heavy to extremely heavy rain is likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on October 27 and 28. That is the IMD’s forecast.
Odisha may get its heaviest rain on October 28. Later, rain may spread to Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal. Farmers in low-lying fields should watch local advisories. Water can collect fast on roads in towns. Do not drive through flooded stretches. The depth is hard to judge from inside a car.
What Andhra Pradesh has done
Andhra Pradesh has released Rs 27 crore in relief funds for 20 districts, according to NewsBytes. The state has also placed 15 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on standby.
Health teams have moved 4,711 pregnant women to safer health facilities, NewsBytes reported. That step is about care during the storm. If roads get blocked, reaching a hospital can turn hard. So officials moved women close to delivery dates early.
Control rooms are active in coastal districts. Officials have asked people in low-lying areas to listen to local announcements. Fisherfolk have been told not to go to sea. Boats that are already out have been asked to return.
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What Odisha has done
Odisha has shut schools in six southern districts. Evacuations have begun in some coastal pockets. Fishing has been banned along the coast. Rescue teams are on standby.
South Odisha sits close to the storm’s path. Even if the centre crosses Andhra Pradesh, Odisha’s southern coast can still get strong winds and heavy rain. That is why the state is not waiting for landfall to act.
People in Ganjam, Gajapati, and nearby districts should keep phones charged. They should keep drinking water and dry food ready. They should keep key papers in a plastic cover. Small steps like these help a lot when power goes out.
First cyclone of the 2026 season
Arnab is the first cyclone of the 2026 North Indian Ocean season. That fact puts this storm in context. The season runs through the year, but the main cyclone months in the Bay of Bengal are around May-June and October-November.
Warm sea water feeds a cyclone. Moist air rises, winds spin, and the system grows. When it nears land, it loses its fuel. That is why storms weaken after landfall. But rain can stay heavy well inland, even as winds drop.
This is also why the rain forecast runs past October 28. Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal may see rain after the coastal impact. People inland should not think the risk ends at landfall.
What you should do today
First, follow only official updates. The IMD, the state disaster management authority, and the district collector’s office give the trusted word. Social media posts can mix old videos with new claims. Check the date on a video before you share it.
Second, if you live near the coast in Andhra Pradesh or south Odisha, stay ready to move if officials ask. Do not wait for water to reach your door. Keep a small bag packed: papers, medicines, phone charger, and some cash.
Third, stay away from the sea, beaches, and river banks till officials say it is safe. High waves can hit the shore even before the storm’s centre arrives.
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FAQ
Q: Has Cyclone Arnab made landfall yet? A: No. As of the IMD’s 2:30 am bulletin on October 27, the storm was still over the Bay of Bengal. Landfall is expected by forenoon on October 28, close to Yanam.
Q: Which areas face the worst impact? A: Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam face the worst winds and rain on October 27-28. Adjoining south Odisha is also under warning, with heavy rain expected on October 28.
Q: What wind speed is expected at landfall? A: The IMD expects sustained winds of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, when the storm crosses the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast.
Sources: IMD 2:30 am bulletin, October 27, 2026 (via The Indian Express and The Hindu); OMMCom; NewsBytes (relief funds, NDRF teams, pregnant women moved).
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