The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has maintained a Red Warning for the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Arnab’ approaches over the West-Central Bay of Bengal.
According to reports, on Oct 27, 2026, the system moved west-northwestwards at 20 km/h over the past six hours. It lay centred near latitude 16.0°N and longitude 84.3°E, located 220 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 240 km east-southeast of Kakinada, and 370 km south of Gopalpur.
The storm is projected to continue its west-northwestward track until Tuesday evening before shifting northwestwards. It is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm by the forenoon of October 28, 2026.
At landfall, maximum sustained wind speeds will reach 125–135 km/h, gusting to 150 km/h. Authorities have placed coastal belts on high alert, suspending marine activities and preparing emergency response measures.
