AFTER CYCLONE ARNAB'S DESTRUCTION, A NEW STORM GATHERS STRENGTH OVER THE BAY OF BENGAL

October 31, 2026

VISAKHAPATNAM, OCTOBER 31, 2026 — Andhra Pradesh is facing the threat of another cyclonic storm just days after Cyclone Arnab battered the state's coastline and neighbouring Odisha, leaving communities struggling to recover from the damage. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that a developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal could intensify into a cyclonic storm and approach the Andhra Pradesh coast on November 3.

According to the IMD's latest assessment on Saturday, October 31, the system has developed from a well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Andaman Sea. It intensified into a depression at 11.30 am and is expected to strengthen further as it moves west-northwestwards.

The anticipated storm is forecast to be considerably weaker than Cyclone Arnab, which struck the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts on October 28 with wind speeds reported to have reached 150 kilometres per hour at landfall. Nevertheless, meteorologists are monitoring the new system because even a comparatively weaker cyclone can produce heavy rainfall, damaging winds and hazardous coastal conditions.

WIND SPEEDS MAY REACH 100 KILOMETRES PER HOUR

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the developing cyclonic storm could generate sustained winds of approximately 80 to 90 kilometres per hour, with occasional gusts reaching 100 kilometres per hour. The system may make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday morning, November 3, according to the forecast reported on Saturday.

The weather system was located approximately 330 kilometres west-southwest of Sri Vijayapuram in the Andaman Islands and 300 kilometres west-northwest of Car Nicobar when the IMD issued its afternoon bulletin.

Meteorologists expect the depression to intensify into a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal within the following 12 hours. It could subsequently develop into a cyclonic storm as it continues moving towards the west-central Bay of Bengal.

The system was expected to approach the waters near the Andhra Pradesh coastline by the evening of November 2, before potentially making landfall the following morning.

The precise intensity, movement and eventual impact of the storm will depend on its subsequent development. The IMD is continuing to monitor the system and is expected to issue further updates as new meteorological information becomes available.

ANDHRA PRADESH FACES THE PROSPECT OF FRESH DAMAGE

The possibility of another cyclone has raised concerns across coastal Andhra Pradesh, where residents and farmers are still dealing with the aftermath of Arnab.

The previous storm brought powerful winds and heavy rainfall, damaging infrastructure and agricultural land in affected areas. The destruction has placed additional pressure on communities that depend on agriculture, fishing and coastal economic activity for their livelihoods.

Another episode of adverse weather could complicate recovery operations, threaten standing crops and disrupt transport and other essential services. Heavy rainfall may also cause waterlogging in low-lying areas, while strong winds could damage vulnerable structures and vegetation.

The developing system therefore presents a challenge not only for disaster-management authorities but also for residents who may have limited time to repair damaged homes, restore agricultural operations and prepare for another period of severe weather.

Although the new storm is forecast to be weaker than Arnab, its potential consequences will depend on its track, rainfall distribution and intensity at the time it approaches the coast.

ODISHA ALSO MONITORS THE DEVELOPING WEATHER SYSTEM

The neighbouring state of Odisha is also monitoring weather conditions following the recent cyclone.

Manorama Mohanty, director of the meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar, said officials were tracking the system's progress and would issue further updates as it evolved.

The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers in a few districts of Odisha. The extent of any additional impact will depend on the storm's eventual trajectory and the distribution of rain and wind associated with it.

The latest development has renewed attention to the vulnerability of India's eastern coastline to successive cyclonic systems during the Bay of Bengal's active storm season.

UNDERSTANDING THE DEVELOPING CYCLONE

The weather system has progressed from a low-pressure area to a depression, an intermediate stage in the development of a tropical cyclone. A depression is more organised and intense than a low-pressure area but has not yet reached the classification of a cyclonic storm.

If atmospheric and oceanic conditions remain favourable, the system could strengthen further as it moves towards the west-central Bay of Bengal.

However, cyclone forecasts are subject to change. The speed of intensification, direction of movement and location of any eventual landfall may vary as meteorologists receive additional observations and update their forecasting models.

For this reason, the IMD's successive bulletins will be important in determining the areas most likely to experience heavy rainfall, strong winds and other hazardous conditions.

PREPAREDNESS BECOMES CRUCIAL AS NOVEMBER 3 APPROACHES

With the potential landfall only days away, timely weather information and preparedness will be essential for coastal communities.

Residents should follow official advisories issued by the IMD and local authorities, particularly regarding wind conditions, rainfall forecasts, evacuation instructions and restrictions on marine activity. Fishermen should pay close attention to warnings concerning dangerous sea conditions and avoid venturing into areas covered by official restrictions.

Local administrations will need to assess the evolving threat and communicate relevant safety instructions to vulnerable communities. The situation also underscores the importance of protecting agricultural produce, securing loose outdoor objects and ensuring that essential supplies remain accessible wherever severe weather is expected.

The developing cyclone is not forecast to match the intensity of Arnab, but its approach remains a serious weather concern for Andhra Pradesh.

As the Bay of Bengal system continues moving west-northwestwards, the immediate priority will be to monitor its intensification and track, prepare for the possibility of heavy rainfall and strong winds, and reduce the risks facing people still recovering from the previous storm.

The central concern is whether the region can prepare sufficiently for another cyclone before it reaches the coast. With November 3 approaching, the next round of IMD forecasts will be critical in determining the scale of the threat