Severe cyclonic storm Arnab lashes coastal regions overnight.

Severe cyclonic storm Arnab began battering coastal regions of eastern India early Wednesday, bringing intense winds and heavy rainfall. Making landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam near Yanam, the storm packed sustained wind speeds of 125 to 135 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour. Weather monitoring systems positioned the storm's centre close to the shoreline over the west-central Bay of Bengal, moving slowly west-northwestwards. Officials noted that the turbulent conditions are expected to persist for several hours before the system moves further inland and weakens.

State governments in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh proactively closed educational institutions and initiated large-scale evacuations to protect vulnerable populations. Historically, this coastal corridor frequently experiences severe cyclonic activity, prompting well-coordinated disaster response mechanisms across multiple districts. Coastal communities quickly experienced the storm's fury, with strong gales uprooting numerous trees and obstructing major transportation routes in districts like Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Konaseema. Tidal surges and extreme weather also affected neighbouring areas, creating hazardous conditions at Gopalpur Beach in Odisha and Digha Beach in West Bengal. In Puducherry, seawater inundated the low-lying village of Savitri Nagar. Local minister Malladi Krishna Rao subsequently inspected the flooded zones to assess damages and interact with displaced residents.

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Flight operations and civic advisories

Federal authorities at the civil aviation ministry conducted high-level reviews to ensure operational safety across regional airports as conditions deteriorated. Severe turbulence and low visibility led to the cancellation of multiple flights across Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, stranding numerous passengers. Meanwhile, the Real Time Governance authority based in Amaravati instructed citizens to remain safely indoors until Wednesday morning. Emergency responders remain on high alert, working tirelessly to clear blocked highways, including National Highway 216, and manage widespread power disruptions caused by the extreme weather patterns. Citizens are advised to follow official weather bulletins and avoid venturing out until the India Meteorological Department declares the region safe.