Cyclone Arnab intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal late on Monday night, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. At 11:30 pm on Monday, the storm lay about 350 km southeast of Visakhapatnam and 420 km east-southeast of Kakinada, moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Source: IMD via Sarasij News & Views

The IMD said the storm is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of Wednesday, October 28, with maximum sustained winds of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph.

Source: IMD via Sarasij News & Views

350 kmDistance southeast of Visakhapatnam at 11:30 pm Monday
115-125 kmphExpected sustained winds at landfall, gusting to 140 kmph
Oct 28 forenoonExpected landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam

Tuesday morning reports confirmed the upgrade, saying the very severe storm was threatening the Andhra Pradesh coastline, with 53 trains cancelled, rescue teams deployed and schools closed across multiple districts as the state braced for landfall.

Source: WowNews24x7

The IMD has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as the storm approaches, with heavy rain also expected in parts of Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh under its influence. Coastal residents have been advised to follow official IMD and district administration advisories and fishermen have been told not to venture into the sea.

Source: Jagran Josh

Arnab is the latest in a series of IMD bulletins tracking the system since it formed over the Bay of Bengal. Awaaz Punjab has been reporting the preparations through the day, including evacuations, shelter arrangements and train cancellations, and will update this story as the next IMD bulletin arrives.