The very severe cyclonic storm Arnab has commenced its landfall process along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts near Kakinada. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the landfall process started at 1:20 AM today. The crossing began earlier than originally expected due to the rapid movement of the storm. The storm hit the coast packing sustained maximum wind speeds of 115-125 km per hour, with gusts reaching up to 140 km per hour.

 

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall has already been recorded across 161 locations in Andhra Pradesh. Severe winds have already begun uprooting trees and damaging local infrastructure, including blocking sections of National Highway 216 near the Yanam entrance.

 

Andhra Pradesh authorities have shifted 84,396 people to 290 relief shelters. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu noted that a total of 2,199 shelters were designated statewide, with special priority given to vulnerable groups.

 

Odisha has proactively closed schools in 16 of its 30 districts and readied thousands of shelters as its southern regions face intense peripheral rain and wind.

 

Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and national and state disaster response forces remain on high alert.

 

Ministry of Civil Aviation held an emergency review meeting. At least 21 flights have been cancelled at the Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam airports, with schedules in Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, and parts of neighbouring states facing heavy delays.

 

Indian Railways has cancelled at least 50 trains scheduled to run through the coastal corridor.

 

Government officials are strongly urging all citizens in the affected coastal zones to stay indoors until the storm completely passes and to postpone any travel plans.