Cyclone Arnab: Over 4,800 fishing vessels return safely to Kakinada coast

At least 4,800 fishing boats have suspended fishing operations and returned safely to Kakinada fishing harbour and other fish landing centres along the coast following the State government’s advisory ahead of Cyclone Arnab.

The Fisheries Department, Indian Coast Guard and Kakinada district authorities have appealed to the fisherfolk to not venture into the sea for marine fishing activity until further notice. Uppada-Ameenabad, Kumbhabhishekam are the major fish landing centres on the Kakinada coast. 

Kakinada District Fisheries Officer V. Krishna Rao told The Hindu, “Over 4,800 boats involved in marine fishing in the Bay of Bengal off Kakinada coast have returned from the sea and anchored at their respective harbour and landing centres on Monday (October 26, 2026)”.

As many as six boats, each carrying four members, ventured into the sea on Sunday (October 25, 2026) evening despite cyclone alert. However, Kakinada-based Coast Guard authorities tracked their boats and directed them to return to Kakinada fishing harbour, added Mr. Krishna Rao. No fishing boats, either for deep-sea fishing or short-distance fishing, were at sea on Monday (October 26, 2026). 

Marine fishing activity has been suspended for the next three days until normalcy prevails after Cyclone Arnab makes landfall, most likely in Andhra Pradesh. On the other hand, the East Godavari, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district officials have suspended fishing activity in river Godavari in the wake of warnings of heavy rain coupled with winds in the next 72 hours. 

Polavaram tourism curbs

In the Godavari Valley, Chintoor Integrated Tribal Development Officer P. Narendra Pradal has directed the tourism boat operators to suspend boating to Papikonda hills until further orders. Tourists have also been advised to postpone their scheduled visits to Papikonda hills and waterfalls in Polavaram district.