The landfall process of the very severe cyclonic storm Arnab began along the Andhra Pradesh coastline on Wednesday, bringing intense rainfall and heavy winds across several coastal districts.
According to an official press release issued by the India Meteorological Department, the core of the storm remained very close to the coast as its northern spiral bands moved inland.
“The centre of very severe cyclonic storm Arnab remains very close to the Andhra Pradesh coastline, and the landfall process is continuing,” the Met department affirmed.
Meteorologists noted that the system is likely to maintain a north-westward trajectory and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts close to the south of Yanam. Maximum sustained wind speeds during the landfall phase are expected to reach up to 135 kmph, with gusts hitting 150 kmph over the subsequent hours.
Torrential rains and strong gales affected life across Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Konaseema, and West Godavari districts. District collectors reported widespread downpours alongside instances of uprooted trees.
Local administrations responded promptly to localized emergencies triggered by the weather. In Kakinada district, police personnel carried out a successful rescue operation near the Bombay Katta area, where rising seawater and storm runoff had stranded four individuals inside their workplace overnight.
“The four people, who had reported for duty in the morning, remained stranded until night after floodwaters completely surrounded the place where they were staying,” a district police spokesperson declared, adding that team members deployed vehicles to bring the individuals back to safety.
