180,000 evacuated as Cyclone Arnab makes landfall in India

Cyclone Arnab made landfall on the Indian east coast early Wednesday, October 28. The storm crossed into Andhra Pradesh with sustained winds of 135 kilometers per hour. Heavy rainfall accompanied the initial impact. Fallen trees blocked highways and power outages affected the region. No casualties had been reported by the time of landfall.

Officials evacuated at least 180,000 residents from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on Tuesday. This move preceded the storm's arrival. More than 12 million people lived along the cyclone's projected path. Transport networks suffered immediate disruption. Flights and train services were cancelled. Schools in affected areas closed their doors.

India's Meteorological Department initially classified Arnab as a very severe cyclonic storm. This is the third-highest designation on the national scale. The classification was downgraded to severe as the system moved inland. The shift occurred after the storm crossed the coastline on Wednesday morning.

Flooding posed a direct threat to homes in Kakinada district. Residents reported uncertainty as water levels rose. One local observer noted that no one knew which house would be submerged next. The statement captured the immediate fear of inundation in the cyclone's path.

Forecasts indicated a storm surge could reach 1.5 meters above normal tide levels. Meteorologists warned that this surge would inundate low-lying areas in Andhra Pradesh. The department linked the surge to the cyclone's crossing of the coast on Wednesday.

Warnings extended to neighboring Nepal. Authorities advised tourists to avoid high-altitude areas on Tuesday. Officials cited risks of torrential rain, snowstorms, and avalanches from Thursday through Saturday. Nepal's government halted the issuance of trekking permits for three days. This suspension occurred during the peak hiking season, when approximately 750 permits are typically issued daily. The country is still recovering from a glacial collapse in August that killed more than 1,400 people and left at least 5,000 missing.

Sri Lanka also closed schools due to concerns about the storm. Its Department of Meteorology issued warnings for flash floods and landslides linked to Arnab.