Cyclone ’Arnab’ Looms Over the Bay of Bengal: When and Where Will It Strike?

A low-pressure area is intensifying over the Bay of Bengal. Alerts have been issued for the eastern and southern coastal states of India in anticipation of a potential cyclone. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the low-pressure system could develop into a cyclone by Monday morning (October 26). The storm is expected to make landfall on the morning of October 28 along the coast of Andhra Pradesh, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.

The storm could reach a maximum sustained wind speed of 115 to 125 km/h, with gusts potentially hitting 140 km/h. The Odisha government has begun preparations to manage the potential disaster. It has been decided that educational institutions will remain closed in five districts of the state: Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri. Schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centers in these districts will remain shut on October 28 and 29. In other districts, local district collectors will decide on the closure of educational institutions based on the prevailing weather conditions.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed the administration to ramp up preparations for rescue and relief operations. Leave for key administrative officials has been cancelled. Approximately 60 teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), 17 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and 225 fire service units have been kept on standby for rescue efforts. Plans are also in place to relocate residents from vulnerable areas to safe shelters.

The Meteorological Department has issued a 'red alert' for the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri for October 28, warning of extremely heavy rainfall. Some areas could receive over 20 centimeters of rain. Along with thunderstorms, squally winds reaching speeds of 60 to 70 km/h are expected. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea.

Meanwhile, in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, persistent rainfall has led to waterlogging, disrupting daily life. Waterlogging has caused increased hardship in the Coast Road, Krishnanagar, and Laspet areas of Puducherry. Alerts have been issued for several ports, including those in Chennai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Karaikal, Pamban, and Tuticorin.

According to the meteorological department, if the cyclone forms, it will be named 'Arnab'—a name proposed by Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the relevant authorities are closely monitoring further forecasts regarding the cyclone's precise path, intensity, and the location where it is expected to make landfall. Residents in coastal areas have been advised to remain vigilant and follow official directives.