Cyclone Arnab is moving across the Bay of Bengal and is expected to intensify before making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, October 28. Authorities have issued red alerts for several districts as weather officials warn of powerful winds, heavy rainfall and possible disruption to transport and daily life. Odisha and parts of West Bengal are also preparing for adverse weather, although Kolkata is not expected to face the cyclone’s direct impact.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system was positioned over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, approximately 650 kilometres east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 730 kilometres east-southeast of Kakinada. It is forecast to move west-northwestwards and strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm before potentially becoming a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday.
The expected landfall zone lies between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, along the Andhra Pradesh coast and near Yanam. The system could cross the coast by Wednesday forenoon, bringing sustained wind speeds of 115 to 125 kilometres per hour and gusts reaching 140 kilometres per hour. Such conditions can damage vulnerable structures, uproot trees, disrupt electricity supply and make road and coastal travel dangerous.
The IMD has issued a yellow warning for Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts for Monday, October 26. The alert level is expected to rise as the cyclone approaches. For Tuesday, red alerts cover Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru and Yanam. Orange alerts have been issued for Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli, NTR, Krishna, Guntur and Bapatla. Palnadu, Prakasam and Nellore are under yellow alerts.
For Wednesday, the red-alert areas are expected to include Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Guntur and Yanam. Orange alerts cover Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram and Bapatla, while Palnadu, Prakasam and Nellore remain under yellow warnings. Residents should follow official updates because alert levels and district forecasts may change as the system develops.
Authorities are expected to focus on preparedness in coastal and low-lying areas, where heavy rainfall can cause waterlogging and flooding. Strong winds may affect fishing activity, ports and local transport. Residents in vulnerable locations should follow evacuation instructions if issued, avoid beaches and exposed coastal stretches, and secure loose objects around homes. Fishermen should follow official restrictions on venturing into the sea.
Odisha is also preparing for rain and strong winds associated with the weather system. Southern districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri, could experience adverse conditions. The intensity and distribution of rainfall will depend on the cyclone’s track, strength and movement after landfall. Local authorities are monitoring forecasts and may issue further instructions as the system approaches the coast.
In West Bengal, Kolkata is expected to escape the cyclone’s direct impact, but light to moderate rain and gusty winds are possible between October 28 and 30. Coastal districts could experience stronger winds from Tuesday. Heavy rainfall is forecast in parts of South Bengal, including South 24-Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia. Several North Bengal districts, including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong and Alipurduar, may also receive heavy rain later in the week.
The weather could affect flights and other transport services, particularly routes connecting eastern India with destinations near the Andhra Pradesh coast. Kolkata airport is expected to remain operational, but individual flights could face delays or changes depending on conditions at their destinations. Travellers should check airline notifications and official transport advisories before departure. Any cancellations or service changes will depend on updated weather assessments.
Forecasting systems play a central role in tracking cyclones and issuing early warnings. Meteorologists combine satellite imagery, Doppler weather radar, ocean observations and numerical weather prediction models to estimate a storm’s direction, wind strength and rainfall. Satellite data helps identify cloud patterns and changes in the cyclone’s structure, while ocean measurements provide information about the conditions that can fuel intensification. Forecast models process these observations to project possible tracks and landfall areas.
These technologies improve preparedness, but forecasts can change as a cyclone moves and interacts with atmospheric and ocean conditions. Residents should therefore rely on updates from the IMD and local disaster-management authorities rather than unverified social media messages. With the projected landfall approaching, timely warnings, careful planning and compliance with official safety instructions will be essential to reduce risks across the affected regions.
