The India Meteorological Department reports the system has intensified into cyclonic storm Arnab, centered about 650 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, and is forecast to become a very severe cyclonic storm before crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam with winds of 115-125 kmph on October 28.
The India Meteorological Department announced early on October 26 that a deep depression over the eastcentral and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into cyclonic storm Arnab and is centered near latitude 15.4°N and longitude 88.9°E, about 590 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman Islands, 650 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, and 730 km east-southeast of Kakinada.
The system moved nearly westwards at 15 kmph in the previous six hours. IMD forecasts it will continue west-northwestwards, intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the westcentral Bay of Bengal by midnight on October 26, and become a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27 before crossing the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28 with maximum sustained winds of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha have been placed under red and orange alerts for extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 27 and 28. Andhra Pradesh authorities have prepared State Disaster Response Force and National Disaster Response Force units and plan evacuations from low-lying areas, while Odisha has closed schools and assigned officers to vulnerable districts.
IMD's official bulletin and accompanying satellite image confirm the intensification to cyclonic storm status, the current position, and the projected landfall track and intensity; major outlets including The Hindu and Business Standard report the same details drawn from the department's updates, with no conflicting forecasts from independent meteorological sources.
Fishing communities along the Andhra coast have hauled boats ashore and secured equipment as the system approaches, recalling the impacts of last year's severe cyclonic storm Montha. Officials warn of potential disruption to normal life from heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas, with particular attention to pregnant women, the elderly, and residents in vulnerable housing. The next material update is expected from IMD as the system intensifies further overnight into October 27.