Odisha Evacuates Over 30,000 as Cyclone Arnab Weakens After Landfall on Andhra Coast

The Odisha government has evacuated more than 30,000 people as southern districts remain on high alert following the landfall of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab along the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast.

Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the cyclone was expected to affect all southern districts of Odisha, with Malkangiri likely to experience the most severe impact. Authorities have deployed personnel and equipment in vulnerable areas, while evacuation operations continue.

“The cyclone is presently within Andhra Pradesh, and it will later in the afternoon touch Odisha,” Pujari said.

Cyclone Weakens After Landfall

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that Cyclone Arnab had completed its landfall, with the storm’s centre moving entirely over land along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts. The system subsequently weakened from a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm to a Severe Cyclonic Storm.

Earlier on Wednesday, the cyclone had remained nearly stationary off the Andhra Pradesh coast, with the IMD indicating that the landfall process could continue for another two to three hours.

The storm brought sustained winds of up to 135 kmph, with gusts reaching 150 kmph, alongside heavy rainfall and strong winds in districts including Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Konaseema.

Rescue and Relief Operations Intensified

Police rescued stranded residents in Kakinada as authorities stepped up emergency response measures. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed relief operations and directed officials to remove fallen trees and restore electricity supplies once weather conditions improved.

The state government converted 609 schools into rehabilitation centres, accommodating 854 people as of early Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Odisha authorities continued evacuations and preparedness measures to minimise the cyclone’s impact on vulnerable communities.

Train Services Cancelled as Precaution

Indian Railways cancelled several train services as a precautionary measure ahead of the cyclone’s landfall. The IMD had earlier forecast that the storm would cross the north Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning.

Authorities in both states remain focused on rescue operations, shelter arrangements and restoring essential services as the weakened cyclone moves inland.