Cyclone Arnab Nears Landfall in Andhra Pradesh: Coastal Districts on Alert, Evacuations UnderwayAndhra Pradesh has been placed on high alert as Cyclone Arnab intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, speeding up its trajectory towards the coast. The storm is forecast to make landfall significantly earlier than previously projected, with impact expected between 2:00 am and 4:00 am.
Wind speeds are estimated between 125 and 150 kilometres per hour, with predictions suggesting gusts could reach up to 180 kilometres per hour. In response, authorities have moved between 85,000 and 100,000 residents from vulnerable low-lying areas into temporary relief centres, including schools, providing food and bedding.
Crucial coastal districts including Kakinada, Yanam, and Konaseema face extreme weather conditions, torrential rainfall, and rough seas. Precautionary measures include power shutdowns across vulnerable vicinities to mitigate hazards caused by wind and lightning, tower 10 danger warnings at Kakinada port, and highway closures spanning Ongole, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam to prevent accidents amid the anticipated cyclonic storm surge.