Cyclone Arnab nearly stationary off Andhra coast, landfall to continue for 2-3 hours

Cyclone Arnab remained “practically stationary” off the Andhra Pradesh coast early on Wednesday, with the landfall process expected to continue for another 2-3 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, as heavy rain and strong winds battered several districts, uprooted trees and left people stranded.

The very severe cyclonic storm was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal, about 30 km east of Narsapur, 45 km south-southwest of Yanam and 70 km south-southwest of Kakinada, according to the IMD’s 5.30 am bulletin.

The cyclone’s northern spiral band had moved further inland, while its centre remained close to the coastline.

The system was expected to move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near the south of Yanam, with maximum sustained wind speeds of up to 135 kmph and gusts of up to 150 kmph.

Heavy rainfall and strong winds affected Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Konaseema districts, with authorities reporting fallen trees and inundated areas. Rainfall exceeded 200 mm at several locations in Anakapalli, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts between 8.30 am on October 27 and 4 am on October 28.

Kannuripalem in Anakapalli recorded the highest rainfall at 261.5 mm, followed by KVBR School in Vizianagaram district at 259.74 mm and the 16th Police Battalion area in Visakhapatnam at 259.06 mm, the IMD said. Heavy rain was likely to continue on Wednesday and Thursday, state government officials said.

In Kakinada, police rescued four people stranded in floodwaters near the Bombay Katta area after heavy rain and seawater inundated the locality.

The four, who had reported for duty in the morning, were unable to leave the place where they were staying as floodwaters surrounded it. Police launched a rescue operation after they sought assistance and safely took them home, a district police press release said.

Three people were also reported stranded at the Central Water Commission godowns at Kakinada Anchorage Port, where rainwater and seawater flooded the premises and power supply was disrupted. Night-shift personnel were unable to leave the facility.

Several others were stranded in Kakinada after transport services were disrupted and roads were blocked by fallen trees. Police advised residents not to venture outdoors unless necessary and to avoid flooded areas. Those requiring emergency assistance were asked to contact Dial 112 or the Kakinada Police Control Room.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation in cyclone-hit areas during a teleconference with officials at 6.15 am on Wednesday. He directed them to clear uprooted trees immediately and restore power supply once the cyclone’s intensity subsided, a government release said.

Officials informed him that power supply had been suspended in affected areas as a precautionary measure. Naidu also instructed them to take steps to prevent tanks and canals from overflowing.

The state School Education Department had converted 609 schools into rehabilitation centres, accommodating 854 people across Andhra Pradesh as of 5.50 am on Wednesday, officials said.