Cyclone Arnab nearly stationary off Andhra coast, landfall to continue for 2-3 hours

In its hourly update, Bulletin No. 11, issued at 6.30 am on Wednesday, the Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam, located the system near latitude 16.4°N and longitude 82.0°E.

At the time of observation, the cyclone's centre was about 30 km east of Narsapur, 45 km south-southwest of Yanam, 70 km south-southwest of Kakinada, 90 km east-northeast of Machilipatnam and 120 km south-southeast of Tuni.

The system was packing sustained winds of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph near its centre. Winds of similar intensity prevailed along and off the coasts of West Godavari, including the Konaseema region, Kakinada district and Yanam between 2 am and 3 am, according to the IMD.

The IMD said the system was likely to move slowly northwestwards initially and then north-northwestwards.

The department forecast that the cyclone would make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, to the south of Yanam. Given that the system remained practically stationary, the landfall process was expected to be prolonged.

During the next two to three hours, wind speeds of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, were likely to prevail over the landfall area before gradually decreasing. Coastal areas in the Godavari region were already reporting strong winds and damage, including uprooted trees.

Visakhapatnam and surrounding areas continued to experience power disruptions, with outages lasting nearly 24 hours in several localities.

The IMD warned that a storm surge of 1.0-1.5 metres above the astronomical tide was likely to inundate low-lying coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh over the next three hours.

The cyclone also triggered widespread rainfall across coastal regions. As of 5.30 am on Wednesday, rainfall recorded at IMD observatories included 217 mm in Visakhapatnam-Waltair, 147 mm in Kalingapatnam, 123 mm in Tuni, 118 mm in Kakinada, 115 mm in Machilipatnam-Franchpet, 94 mm in Gopalpur and 72 mm in Puri.

Cumulative rainfall recorded at IMD observatories between 8.30 am on October 27 and 5.30 am on October 28 stood at 216.9 mm in Visakhapatnam, 147.5 mm in Kalingapatnam, 123.3 mm in Tuni, 118.4 mm in Kakinada, 115.2 mm in Machilipatnam, 48.6 mm in Narsapur, 15.9 mm in Bapatla and 0.4 mm in Ongole.

The IMD said it was closely monitoring the system and would issue further updates.

Meanwhile in Kakinada, police rescued four people stranded in floodwaters near the Bombay Katta area after heavy rain and seawater inundated the locality.

The four, who had reported for duty in the morning, were unable to leave the place where they were staying as floodwaters surrounded it. Police launched a rescue operation after they sought assistance and safely took them home, a district police press release said.

Three people were also reported stranded at the Central Water Commission godowns at Kakinada Anchorage Port, where rainwater and seawater flooded the premises and power supply was disrupted. Night-shift personnel were unable to leave the facility.

Several others were stranded in Kakinada after transport services were disrupted and roads were blocked by fallen trees. Police advised residents not to venture outdoors unless necessary and to avoid flooded areas. Those requiring emergency assistance were asked to contact Dial 112 or the Kakinada Police Control Room.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation in cyclone-hit areas during a teleconference with officials at 6.15 am on Wednesday. He directed them to clear uprooted trees immediately and restore power supply once the cyclone’s intensity subsided, a government release said.

Officials informed him that power supply had been suspended in affected areas as a precautionary measure. Naidu also instructed them to take steps to prevent tanks and canals from overflowing.

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, officials said.