New Delhi: Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting that it will cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28.
IMD’s National Bulletin No. 14, based on observations at 11.30 pm on October 26 and released early on October 27, retained a Red Message cyclone warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts. Maximum sustained winds at landfall are forecast at 115–125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph.
Cyclone Arnab’s forecast route
The cyclone was centred about 350 km southeast of Visakhapatnam, 420 km east-southeast of Kakinada and 400 km south-southeast of Gopalpur at the time of the late-night observation. It had moved west-northwestwards at 23 kmph during the preceding six hours.
IMD said the system was very likely to continue west-northwestwards until the evening of October 27, then turn northwestwards. Its forecast placed the coastal crossing between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, as a very severe cyclonic storm.
Upgrade from Monday’s severe-storm assessment
The late-night bulletin marks a further intensification from IMD’s 5.30 pm assessment on October 26, when Arnab had become a severe cyclonic storm. The revised classification describes the storm’s strength; the landfall location, timing and wind speeds remain forecasts.
Earlier coverage: Cyclone Arnab’s formation and IMD’s initial coastal warning.
