Cyclone Arnab made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall, and claiming two lives. Officials reported the deaths were due to electrocution.
Arnab, the first cyclonic storm of 2026 in the North Indian Ocean, formed over the Bay of Bengal on October 26. It intensified rapidly, with wind speeds increasing significantly. At its peak, sustained winds were recorded at 150-160 km/h, with gusts up to 180 km/h according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The storm slowed considerably as it approached the coast.
Wind speeds at landfall reached 125–135 km/h, with gusts up to 150 km/h. Heavy rainfall was recorded across the region, with Visakhapatnam receiving 217 mm. The IMD warned of possible flash floods in coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
After landfall, Arnab began to weaken. The IMD forecast that the system would move inland and weaken further, potentially bringing rainfall to Uttar Pradesh and Nepal.
Source: Down To Earth