Cyclone Arnab struck India’s Andhra Pradesh coast early Wednesday morning, bringing ferocious winds and heavy rainfall to the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) classified the storm as a “very severe cyclonic storm” upon landfall, with sustained wind speeds reaching 135kph (84mph) and gusts up to 150kph.
Widespread Impact and Emergency Response
The storm has caused significant disruption across the region, downing trees, damaging power infrastructure, and impacting standing crops. In anticipation of the cyclone, authorities evacuated approximately 180,000 people from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. To manage the crisis, officials established over 2,000 cyclone shelters across 20 districts and deployed nearly 1,100 medical teams to provide emergency assistance.
Regional Weather Alerts
The impact of the storm extends beyond India’s borders. In Nepal, authorities have suspended trekking permits for three days, warning that the cyclone could trigger snowstorms and avalanches in high-altitude areas during the peak hiking season. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has closed schools and issued warnings regarding the risk of flash floods and landslides associated with the storm's reach.
