India

Cyclone Arnab Begins Landfall Near Narsapur, Heavy Rainfall Hits North Andhra

By T. Appala Naidu, Nellore Sravani

The very severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ began its landfall process near Narsapur town in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh at about 1.30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. India Meteorological Department (IMD) experts said it is too early to pinpoint the exact landfall location and that the process may continue for some time. The IMD reported wind speeds near the centre of 125‑135 km/h, with gusts up to 150 km/h, and noted that wind intensity is likely to decrease after four hours. A storm surge of 1.5 to 2.5 meters is expected over Kakinada and Yanam, threatening low‑lying areas.

At Kakinada, where the storm was initially thought to land, winds picked up around 1.30 a.m. but no rain had fallen on the coast for more than two hours before the wind report. The sea remained calm for over an hour until the winds intensified. Residents watched as giant waves moved stone boulders off the shore in Uppada. Several thatched houses facing the sea collapsed, but occupants are safe in relief camps. In Kakinada, boats tied to trees were washed into the creek, leaving fishermen to find their vessels scattered. In Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, many coconut trees fell along roads and are being removed by NDRF personnel. No human casualties have been reported in Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, or West Godavari districts.

Meanwhile, northern Andhra Pradesh, especially Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, and Vizianagaram districts, continued to receive heavy rain. From 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, to 1 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, Kannuripalem (Anakapalli) received 231.5 mm, 16th Police Battalion (Visakhapatnam Rural) 223.91 mm, Chemalapalle (Pendurthi, Visakhapatnam) 220.04 mm, Parvada (Anakapalli) 217.75 mm, Simhachalam (Visakhapatnam) 210.75 mm, and Atchutapuram (Anakapalli) 206.75 mm. Twelve stations in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli recorded more than 200 mm of rain during this period. Additionally, 188 stations across Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Anakapalli, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Kakinada, and Parvathipuram Manyam recorded more than 100 mm of rainfall.

The A.P. State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) issued a heavy rainfall and strong winds alert for Polavaram, Krishna, NTR, East and West Godavari, Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, and Eluru districts for Wednesday, October 28, 2026.