Cyclone Arnab to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
The India Meteorological Department expects the severe cyclone to hit the north Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Cyclone Arnab is expected to make landfall between 2am and 4am on Wednesday. The cyclone is moving rapidly towards the Andhra coast, with landfall predicted between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.
As of 5.30pm on Tuesday, the 'very severe' cyclone was located about 90km southeast of Kakinada and 170km east-northeast of Machilipatnam. The IMD stated the cyclone is likely to make landfall as a 'severe' cyclone with maximum wind speeds of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph.
In Odisha, the government has relocated over 48,000 people to shelters across eight districts. Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Patil said these people were moved from districts including Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Ganjam, Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi and Nuapada.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for several districts in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. In Odisha, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri are under red warning, with Malkangiri expected to receive maximum rainfall and wind speed.
Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have identified 1,763 cyclone shelters and 2,907 control rooms to assist 16 districts. As a precaution, beaches have been closed and 30,043 fishing boats have been secured at harbours.