A man films an electrical transformer toppled by heavy rain and strong winds as Cyclone Arnab approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast in Kakinada.
| Photo Credit: AP
The very severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ has begun its landfall process near Narsapur town in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, at around 1.30 a.m. on Wednesday (October 28, 2026).
Experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), however, said it is too early to indicate the exact location of the landfall. They said the landfall process may go on for a long time, and they can indicate the tentative landfall point only after the process is over.
Cyclone ‘Arnab’ LIVE updates
According to the IMD, the wind intensity near the centre was reported to be 125-135 kmph, gusting up to 150 kmph. The wind intensity is likely to decrease after four hours. A high storm surge of 1.5 m to 2.5 m is expected over Kakinada and Yanam, the IMD said. Low-lying areas in these regions are facing the threat of inundation.
Sea remains calm at Kakinada
At Kakinada, which was initially indicated as the possible landfall point, the wind picked up speed around 1.30 a.m. However, there was no rain on the coast for more than two hours prior to the report of the winds.
The sea was very calm for more than an hour until the winds gained the strength to wreak havoc on the coast. The people had been waiting to witness how the cyclone would leave the Kakinada coast. In Uppada, stone boulders were spread on the road as the giant waves drifted them away from the shore line.
Those accommodated in the relief camps are keeping their fingers crossed about the damage to their houses and areas. In Uppada, a few thatched houses that are facing the sea have reportedly collapsed and their inhabitants are safe in the relief camps.
In Kakinada, several boats that were tied with the ropes to trees were washed away into the creek, leaving the fishermen to wake up only to see scattering of their boats.
In Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, scores of coconut trees have fallen along the roadside, and they are being removed by the NDRF personnel. No human loss has been reported in Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema and West Godavari districts.
A deluge in north Andhra
Meanwhile, the northern parts of the State, especially the districts of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, and Vizianagaram, continued to be battered by relentless rain. Between 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday (October 27, 2026) and 1 a.m. on Wednesday (October 28, 2026), Kannuripalem of Anakapalli district received an extremely heavy rainfall of 231.5 mm, followed by 16th Police Battalion area in Visakhapatnam Rural mandal which recorded 223.91 mm, Chemalapalle of Pendurthi, again in Visakhapatnam district, recorded 220.04 mm. Parvada of Anakapalli district recorded 217.75 mm; Simhachalam area in Visakhapatnam district recorded 210.75 mm; and Atchutapuram in Anakapalli district recorded 206.75 mm.
In all, 12 stations from both Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts recorded extremely heavy rainfall of more than 200 mm from Tuesday morning (October 27, 2026) to 1 a.m. on Wednesday (October 28, 2026). Moreover, 188 stations in the districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Anakapalli, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Kakinada, and Parvathipuram Manyam recorded very heavy rainfall of more than 100 mm during this period.
The A.P. State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has issued a heavy rainfall and strong winds alert for the districts of Polavaram, Krishna, NTR, East and West Godavari, Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema and Eluru for Wednesday (October 28, 2026).
Published – October 28, 2026 03:10 am IST
