At least 5 killed due to Cyclone Arnab in Andhra Pradesh as heavy rain batters coastal districts

Fatalities were reported in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, Kakinada, Konaseema and West Godavari.

According to the initial report, some victims were electrocuted, while others died after trees fell during the storm.

The landfall process took more than six hours, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirming in a bulletin issued at 9:50 am that the cyclone's central region had moved completely over land.

Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts as a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph and gusts reaching 150 kmph.

The system subsequently weakened into a severe cyclonic storm, the IMD said.

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IMD confirms Cyclone Arnab's landfall

In its 9:50 am bulletin, the IMD said the cyclone was positioned over the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts, with its centre approximately 20 km east of Narsapur, 40 km south-south-west of Yanam, 60 km south-south-west of Kakinada and 90 km east-north-east of Machilipatnam.

"The latest observations indicate that the landfall process has been completed with the central region moving completely into land," the weather department said.

The cyclone made landfall as a very severe cyclonic storm, the third-highest category on the IMD's intensity scale, bringing winds strong enough to uproot trees and disrupt electricity supplies.

By 8:30 am, the system had weakened into a severe cyclonic storm, according to the IMD.

However, heavy rainfall and the effects of strong winds continued to affect coastal districts.

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Over 1.8 lakh people evacuated

Authorities evacuated more than 1.8 lakh people ahead of the cyclone's arrival as preparations intensified across vulnerable areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

The storm brought exceptionally heavy rainfall to several districts in Andhra Pradesh.

Visakhapatnam recorded 315 mm of rain up to 8:30 am, the highest among the districts listed in the report.

Vizianagaram received 301 mm, followed by Anakapalle with 275 mm, Srikakulam with 257 mm and Krishna district with 223 mm.

The intense rainfall, combined with strong winds, disrupted normal life in affected areas.

Fallen trees and interruptions to electricity supplies were reported as the cyclone moved inland.

Authorities also took precautionary measures to limit the impact on transport and public services, with schools closed in some areas and train services cancelled.

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Odisha records heavy rainfall

Cyclone Arnab's impact extended into Odisha, where several districts recorded heavy rainfall.

Koraput received 188 mm of rain, while Ganjam recorded 161 mm and Gajapati received 135 mm, according to the figures provided in the report.

The rainfall affected both states as the cyclone crossed the coast and weakened over land.

Officials warned that further heavy rain could affect Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on Wednesday and Thursday.

The storm's effects included uprooted trees and disrupted power supplies, while transport services faced cancellations and delays.

Flights, trains cancelled

Airlines cancelled flights to Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada on Wednesday amid the cyclone's impact on Andhra Pradesh.

Some train services were also cancelled, while schools remained closed in certain areas as authorities responded to the severe weather.

The combination of heavy rainfall and strong winds created difficult conditions across affected districts, with disruption reported to essential services and transport links.

Officials expected rainfall to continue on Wednesday and Thursday as the cyclone's effects persisted over the region.

With the landfall process complete, the IMD reported that the system had weakened from a very severe to a severe cyclonic storm.

However, heavy rain and the risk of further weather-related disruption remained concerns across parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.