Delhi, October 26: Cabinet Secretary Dr. T. V. Somanathan on Monday chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review preparedness for the impending cyclone Arnab in Bay of Bengal that is most likely to hit Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on October 28 as a "severe cyclonic storm with the maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph.

The Chief Secretaries and senior officials of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and the Union Territory of Puducherry apprised the Committee of the preparatory measures being undertaken by the State Governments/ local administration.

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India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General (DG) Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra briefed the Committee on the weather system.

The deep depression over Eastcentral and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal moved nearly westwards with a speed of 13 kmph during last 6 hours, and lay centered at 11.30 AM over East central and adjoining West central Bay of Bengal about 550 km southeast of Gopalpur, 580 km east-southeast of Vishakhapatnam, 650 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman Islands), 660 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 760 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam and 830 km east-southeast of Bapatla.

It is forecast to move west-northwestwards till 27th October and then northwestwards towards Andhra Pradesh coast. It is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh & Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm with the maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph by forenoon of 28th October, 2026. Thereafter it is likely to affect districts in Telangana, Southern Odisha, South & Central Chhattisgarh apart from Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

It was informed that adequate shelters and evacuation arrangements have been made, and necessary NDRF and SDRF teams have been kept on standby. District Control Rooms have also been activated and they are monitoring the situation.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Southwest and adjoining central Bay of Bengal, and along and off the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Yanam (Puducherry) from 26th to 29th October. Those already at sea have returned.

Central Ministries/Departments attending the meeting informed the Committee that all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in place, necessary guidelines have been issued, and precautionary measures are being taken to minimise damage due to the impact of the cyclonic storm.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) informed that they have deployed teams, with additional teams on standby. Rescue and relief teams of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard, along with their ships and aircrafts, have been kept ready. Indian Coast Guard has so far shepherded multiple ships/boats to jetties/shore, and the remaining ships have been alerted to return to the coast. The Union Home Secretary informed the Committee that the Ministry of Home Affairs, NDMA and IMD are continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Ministries/Departments, State Governments and other agencies.

Reviewing the preparedness measures of the Central agencies and the State Governments, Cabinet Secretary stressed that the objective should be to ensure zero loss of life and minimise damage to property and infrastructure. In the event of any damage, essential services should be restored in the shortest possible time. Cabinet Secretary also directed that in addition to Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and the Union Territory of Puducherry, since high rainfall was also expected in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, they should be suitably alerted by MHA/IMD.

The meeting was attended by the Union Home, Secretaries in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Ministry of Power; Member and Head of Department and Secretary, NDMA; Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC); Director General, NDRF; Director General, IMD; Director General, Indian Coast Guard; Director General of Media and Communication, MHA; and senior officers of IMD and the Ministry of Home Affairs.