Cyclone Arnab crossed India's Andhra Pradesh coast early on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, bringing destructive winds and heavy rain after authorities moved large numbers of people to safety. According to Reuters, more than 180,000 people were evacuated in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha ahead of the storm.
According to the India Meteorological Department, as reported by Reuters and other outlets, the storm made landfall as a very severe cyclonic storm, with sustained winds of 125 to 135 kilometres per hour and gusts reaching 150 kilometres per hour. It crossed the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Narsapur, and was later downgraded as it moved inland.
Reports from the states gave different evacuation totals during the day, reflecting updates as the storm progressed. One report put more than 84,000 people in shelters in Andhra Pradesh and nearly 48,000 evacuated or moved to safer areas in Odisha, while Reuters put the combined total above 180,000. Flights and train services were cancelled and some schools were closed.
Heavy rain and strong winds uprooted trees, broke power lines and blocked roads in coastal districts, according to early reports. The India Meteorological Department warned that a storm surge of up to 1.5 metres above tide level could flood low-lying coastal areas, and heavy rainfall raised concerns about flooding inland.
Early reports said no deaths had been reported, while a later live update reported two people had died of electrocution in Andhra Pradesh during the storm. Officials urged residents to follow safety advice as rescue and cleanup work continued, and Odisha remained under heavy-rain alerts as the cyclone's effects spread inland.
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