NEW DELHI: Indian authorities have ordered evacuations in vulnerable coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Arnab approaches the country’s eastern coast, with forecasters warning of winds gusting up to 140km/h and potentially destructive flooding.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects the storm to make landfall on Wednesday, 28 October, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam, as a very severe cyclonic storm. Sustained winds are forecast to reach 115–125km/h, with stronger gusts.
Cyclones are a recurring threat in the Bay of Bengal and the northern Indian Ocean, where powerful storms can cause widespread damage to coastal communities.
Widespread Damage Feared
The IMD has warned that the cyclone could destroy thatched houses, uproot power and communication poles, damage standing crops and cause localised flooding in low-lying areas.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has ordered officials to monitor the storm closely and take precautionary measures, according to the supplied report.
Local media have reported evacuations in vulnerable areas and the closure of educational institutions in some districts. More than 4,700 pregnant women living in potentially dangerous locations have reportedly been moved to hospitals, The Indian Express reported.
Sri Lanka on Alert
Neighbouring Sri Lanka has also stepped up precautions, with schools closed amid forecasts of torrential rain.
The country’s Department of Meteorology has warned that severe weather could trigger flash floods and landslides. The military has been placed on alert, according to Colombo’s Disaster Management Centre.
The cyclone is developing during a period of heightened weather risks in the region. However, the extent to which El Niño has influenced this particular storm would require further scientific evidence.
Authorities have urged residents in threatened areas to follow official warnings and evacuation instructions as the cyclone approaches.
