On the morning of 2026-10-27, the Indian coastline began to feel the first breath of Cyclone Arnab. Residents along the eastern seaboard watched as clouds thickened and barometric pressure dropped, signaling the storm's advance. The system was already over open water, gathering momentum toward a coastline marked by fishing villages and coastal towns.
Meteorologists tracked the cyclone's winds at a sustained 150 kilometers per hour, a speed that classifies Arnab as a severe system. That velocity meant that even before the eye made contact, gusts were capable of tearing roofs from homes. For fishermen who had set out before the warning, the open sea turned treacherous in hours.
VIDEO | Cyclone Arnab: Banana plantations, paddy fields damaged in Konaseema, Andhra Pradesh. #CycloneArnab #CycloneAlert (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) https://t.co/7bKbvrwUo4
By later that same day, the storm's outer bands had reached Anantagiri Mandal in Andhra Pradesh. Heavy rainfall turned dry riverbeds into torrents, and low-lying villages found water rising inside homes. The government reported damage to infrastructure and crops, with officials mobilizing to assess the extent of the flooding that had already displaced families.
The government reported damage to infrastructure and crops, with officials mobilizing to assess the extent of the flooding that had already displaced families.
The cyclone's projected path promised landfall somewhere between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, a stretch of coast that hosts both busy ports and quiet hamlets. As the system closed the distance, relief operations were initiated. The focus remained on reaching the most vulnerable—fishermen and coastal communities facing significant challenges.
#WATCH | Delhi: On the landfall progression and disaster response operations for Cyclone Arnab, NDRF IG Narendra Singh Bundela says, "The system has now fully entered the landmass. It has been downgraded from a 'very severe cyclonic storm'—a category based on wind speed—to a 'severe cyclonic storm.' It is projected that within the next six hours—by this afternoon—it will weaken further into a 'cyclonic storm,' and by evening, it is expected to downgrade even more into a 'deep depression.'...The Government of India, with the assistance of the NDRF and the defense forces, deployed four additional NDRF teams to Andhra Pradesh last night, anticipating that it would be the most severely impacted state. These teams were transported via Indian Air Force aircraft. Currently, through the coordination between the state and central governments, NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed on the ground. The state government has deployed a total of 80 SDRF teams" He adds, "Along with the SDRF, the NDRF, and various district-level departmental forces capable of providing assistance, all are actively engaged in operations within their respective areas. As of yesterday evening, the NDRF had evacuated 38 people in Yanam, where some individuals had become stranded due to the rain. The state government is also periodically sharing information regarding losses and damages through the State Emergency Operation Center; this information is available for public viewing on the website..."
Though details were sparse, the mention underscored how a single system can ripple through multiple regions, affecting not just one district but an entire coastal corridor.
As of 2026-10-27, Cyclone Arnab remained a formidable presence over the region, its remnants poised to bring continued rain and wind in the days ahead. The immediate priority was ensuring that those who make their living from the sea could return to safe waters. The event served as a reminder of the power that summer cyclones hold over India's eastern coast, and the resilience required to rebuild in their wake.
Reviewed the ground situation with senior officials today in the wake of Cyclone Arnab. Minor disruptions like tree falls reported across 10 locations, were promptly attended to. Situation is being closely monitored to maintain safe and smooth train operations.