Fierce Cyclone 'Arnab' Races Toward Andhra Coast, 89,000 Evacuated As IMD Raises Wind Alerts
A massive evacuation operation is underway along the eastern coast of India as Cyclone ‘Arnab’ intensifies rapidly in the Bay of Bengal.
Moving at a speed of 22 kmph, the severe storm is tracking directly toward the Andhra Pradesh coast, prompting emergency protocols across multiple districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an urgent upgrade to its weather warning today.
Forecasters now expect sustained wind speeds to reach a punishing 125 to 135 kmph when the cyclone makes landfall.
Even more concerning for coastal communities are the destructive gusts, which weather models show could peak at a violent 150 kmph.
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Local administrations are working on a war footing to move vulnerable populations out of harm’s way.
So far, emergency teams have successfully evacuated more than 89,000 residents from low-lying areas, moving them into temporary relief camps and sturdier public buildings located further inland.
Neighboring Odisha is also on high alert, with heavy rain bands already cutting visibility and flooding roads in southern coastal pockets.
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National and State Disaster Response Forces (NDRF and SDRF) have deployed heavy machinery, medical teams, and inflatable boats to high-risk zones.
Fisherman have been ordered to stay off the water completely, and operations at major regional ports have been temporarily suspended to prevent damage.
