Indian emergency authorities ordered nearly 100,000 residents to evacuate coastal settlements in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha ahead of severe Cyclone Arnab. The India Meteorological Department warned that the severe weather system will make landfall as a very severe cyclonic storm. Forecasters expect peak wind gusts reaching up to 150 kilometers per hour to impact coastal districts. Torrential rainfall and dangerous ocean swells began battering coastal cities, including the port hub of Kakinada. Consequently, local police barricaded roads leading to coastal shorelines to safeguard local populations from rising surge waters.
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State officials in Andhra Pradesh initiated widespread safety measures, directing over 50,000 residents from low-lying areas into designated cyclone shelters. Furthermore, medical teams relocated more than 4,700 pregnant women from high-risk coastal zones to regional hospitals for safety. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu instructed state disaster agencies to maintain continuous monitoring and execute advance precautions. Educational institutions across several vulnerable districts suspended classes through Saturday to minimize travel hazards. Consequently, regional authorities are prioritizing emergency relief deployment and stock management across all vulnerable coastal communities.
In neighboring Odisha, government administrators opened 1,735 emergency cyclone shelters and instructed nearly 48,000 people to move to safer locations. State officials restricted movements across landslide-prone hilly zones while deploying specialized disaster response and fire service teams. Furthermore, weather agencies warned that intense precipitation could cause widespread flooding, uprooted utility infrastructure, and extensive damage to agricultural crops. Consequently, regional ferry operations and coastal maritime travel remain completely suspended across affected districts. Therefore, emergency agencies remain fully mobilized to respond immediately following landfall.
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The severe weather system triggered regional alerts in neighboring nations, including Sri Lanka and Nepal. Sri Lankan authorities closed schools and placed military personnel on alert following forecasts of heavy downpours and potential mudslides. Meanwhile, Nepal’s disaster management authority warned that the storm’s inland movement could trigger severe mountain snowfall and avalanches. Consequently, Nepalese officials advised tourists and mountaineers to avoid high-altitude trekking trails during the storm cycle. Ultimately, regional governments maintain close coordination to mitigate extreme weather impacts across South Asia.