Severe Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts early on Wednesday, 28 October, near Narsapur, and has since weakened from a very severe to a severe cyclonic storm, the India Meteorological Department said. Landfall was complete by 8.30am, with winds of 125 to 135 kilometres per hour and gusts up to 150.
At least three people have died in cyclone-related incidents in the state — one killed by a falling tree in Bhimavaram and two electrocuted in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts. More than 180,000 people had been evacuated in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha before landfall, and about 57,000 people were moved to relief camps, according to disaster response officials.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has sought a central team to assess the damage, writing that paddy on about 70,900 hectares and horticulture crops on 10,450 hectares are under water or damaged, and about 180 houses have been hit. The storm is expected to weaken further into a deep depression by midnight, though heavy rain may continue in affected areas.
Sources: The Hindu, Reuters (via Straits Times). Written in our own words for information only.