India evacuates tens of thousands as Cyclone Arnab makes landfall

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 28 Oct, 04:58 · Archive

Cyclone Arnab made landfall on India's eastern coast on Wednesday with winds of up to 150km/h, forcing nearly 100,000 evacuations.

Cyclone Arnab made landfall along India's southeastern coast on Wednesday morning, striking Andhra Pradesh as a 'very severe cyclonic storm'. The India Meteorological Department reported sustained winds of 125-135 kilometres per hour with gusts reaching 150km/h. The cyclone's landfall was expected to last over two hours, with its centre remaining over the sea while the edge already affected the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.

Authorities evacuated nearly 100,000 people from their homes across the two most affected states. Andhra Pradesh moved 50,000 people to safety, whilst Odisha evacuated 48,000. Over 12 million people live along the cyclone's projected path inland and northwards across India. The government set up more than 2,000 cyclone shelters across 20 districts and deployed nearly 1,100 medical teams to provide emergency assistance.

Heavy rain, high winds and coastal flooding hit the region as the cyclone made landfall. The India Meteorological Department warned of 'total destruction' of thatched houses, localised flooding, the uprooting of power and communications poles, and 'widespread damage' to standing crops. Train and flight services were disrupted, with at least 12 trains cancelled and services suspended on 53 routes along the southern coast.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu credited advance precautionary measures for preventing casualties. 'Protecting every life is our foremost priority,' he said as the storm approached. By Wednesday morning, no loss of life had been reported in either state. More than 30,000 fishing boats were secured along the coast ahead of the storm's arrival.

Neighbouring Nepal warned tourists to stay away from high-altitude areas, concerned that the cyclone could trigger heavy rain, snowstorms and avalanches in the Himalayas from Thursday night to Saturday.

How it is being reported

• India news: Cyclone Arnab brings heavy rain, disruptionCyclone Arnab is making a slow-motion landfall at India's east coast with states evacuating thousands of residents. Also, a new report says India is among nations with highest heatwave exposure for infants. Follow liveDW News · 28 Oct, 04:30
• India evacuates tens of thousands as Cyclone Arnab makes landfallCyclone Arnab strengthened into a “very severe” cyclonic storm late Tuesday with gusting winds and heavy rain reported in several coastal areas.Euronews · 28 Oct, 04:23
• Cyclone Arnab - live: India evacuates tens of thousands as 'very severe' storm approachesCyclone Arnab is expected to make landfall on India's eastern coast, bringing horror 78mph winds to town and cities in Andhra Pradesh and OdishaThe Mirror · 27 Oct, 22:45
• Cyclone Arnab batters India’s east coastHeavy rains and coastal floodings hit India’s east coast on Tuesday as cyclone Arnab is making landfall.Al Jazeera · 27 Oct, 15:11
• India evacuates tens of thousands as ‘very severe’ Cyclone Arnab nearsThe cyclonic storm is set to make landfall on Wednesday, with 400,000 people in need of evacuation.Al Jazeera · 27 Oct, 08:02

In this story: Cyclone Arnab · India · Andhra Pradesh · Odisha · Visakhapatnam · Nara Chandrababu Naidu · Prakhar Jain · Nepal

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log