CYCLONE ARNAB STALLS OFF ANDHRA COAST AS TORRENTIAL RAINS FLOOD DISTRICTS AND RESCUE OPERATIONS INTENSIFY
October 28, 2026
VISAKHAPATNAM, OCTOBER 28, 2026: Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab remained practically stationary off the Andhra Pradesh coast early Wednesday, as its landfall process continued amid torrential rainfall, powerful winds, flooded localities and widespread disruption to transport and electricity supplies. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that the storm would take another two to three hours to complete its landfall, leaving coastal communities exposed to dangerous weather conditions.
In its 5.30 am bulletin, the IMD reported that the cyclone’s northern spiral band had advanced further inland while its centre remained close to the coastline over the west-central Bay of Bengal. The system was positioned approximately 30 kilometres east of Narsapur, 45 kilometres south-southwest of Yanam and 70 kilometres south-southwest of Kakinada. It was expected to move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to the south of Yanam.
The weather department warned that maximum sustained wind speeds could reach 125–135 kilometres per hour, with gusts of up to 150 kilometres per hour during the crossing. The combination of strong winds, intense rainfall and possible coastal inundation presented a serious threat to low-lying settlements, road networks, electricity infrastructure and vulnerable communities along the coast.
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL BATTERS COASTAL DISTRICTS
Heavy rain and strong winds affected Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Konaseema districts, while authorities reported fallen trees and waterlogged areas. The rainfall intensity was particularly severe in parts of Anakapalli, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam.
According to the IMD, rainfall exceeded 200 millimetres at several locations between 8.30 am on October 27 and 4 am on October 28. Kannuripalem in Anakapalli recorded 261.5 mm, while KVBR School in Vizianagaram recorded 259.74 mm. The area around the 16th Police Battalion in Visakhapatnam received 259.06 mm over the same period.
The sustained downpour left roads obstructed by uprooted trees, while strong winds damaged power lines and disrupted movement across affected areas. State officials warned that heavy rainfall could continue through Wednesday and Thursday, making the restoration of normal transport and essential services dependent on the storm’s movement and intensity.
POLICE RESCUE STRANDED RESIDENTS
Emergency services carried out rescue operations in Kakinada after floodwaters and seawater inundated several locations. Police rescued four people stranded near the Bombay Katta area after rising water surrounded the place where they were staying, leaving them unable to escape.
Three other people were reported stranded at the Central Water Commission godowns in Kakinada Anchorage Port, where flooding and a complete disruption of electricity prevented night-shift personnel from leaving the premises. Rescue teams subsequently reached affected workers and helped bring them to safety.
Transport disruption added to the difficulties faced by residents and travellers. In Kakinada, people were stranded at the local bus complex after services were suspended and roads became blocked by fallen trees. One traveller described continuous rainfall, powerful gusts and snapped power lines as obstacles to movement.
Police urged residents not to venture outdoors unless absolutely necessary and warned them to avoid flooded areas. People requiring emergency assistance were advised to contact Dial 112 or the Kakinada Police Control Room.
CHIEF MINISTER REVIEWS RELIEF AND RESTORATION WORK
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation in cyclone-affected districts during a teleconference with officials at approximately 6.15 am on Wednesday. He directed the administration to clear uprooted trees promptly and restore electricity once conditions became safe.
Officials informed the chief minister that power supplies had been suspended in affected areas as a precautionary measure. Naidu also instructed authorities to take preventive steps against the overflowing of tanks and canals as heavy rainfall continued.
The state School Education Department had converted 609 schools into rehabilitation centres, accommodating 854 people across Andhra Pradesh as of 5.50 am on Wednesday, according to officials. The arrangements formed part of the state’s response to the immediate threat posed by the cyclone and the possibility of further flooding.
A DANGEROUS CROSSING WITH WIDER REGIONAL CONSEQUENCES
The cyclone’s slow movement near the coastline prolonged the period of hazardous weather, leaving communities exposed to sustained rainfall and damaging winds. The effects were not confined to Andhra Pradesh: neighbouring Odisha also experienced heavy rainfall, with the IMD warning of adverse conditions in several districts.
The unfolding emergency highlights the importance of timely evacuation, reliable weather warnings and rapid coordination among police, disaster-response teams, local administrations and electricity providers. In coastal and low-lying areas, storm-driven seawater and intense rainfall can combine to inundate settlements even before the full impact of a cyclone becomes apparent.
As Arnab continued its landfall, authorities faced the immediate tasks of rescuing stranded people, keeping residents away from dangerous locations, clearing blocked roads and restoring essential services. The priority remained the protection of human life while the storm crossed the coast and its effects continued inland.
The situation remained active on Wednesday morning, October 28, and residents were urged to follow official IMD and state-administration advisories rather than venture outside during dangerous conditions.
