Indian authorities have ordered evacuations across vulnerable areas of Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Arnab threatens the country’s southeastern coast with powerful winds, heavy rainfall and potential widespread damage. Officials are urging residents in high-risk locations to take precautions as emergency preparations intensify ahead of the storm’s expected landfall.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Arnab is forecast to reach the coast as a very severe cyclonic storm, with wind gusts reaching up to 140 kilometres per hour. The warning, issued on Tuesday, has prompted authorities to strengthen emergency measures and prepare for possible disruptions across affected districts.
The weather department has warned that the cyclone could cause extensive destruction, particularly to thatched houses and other vulnerable structures. Localised flooding, uprooted electricity and communication poles, and significant damage to standing crops are also among the anticipated risks.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to maintain continuous surveillance of the developing situation and take preventive action. In a statement released on Monday, his office stressed the importance of monitoring the storm closely and ensuring that advance precautions are in place to protect residents.
Local media reports indicate that evacuations have been ordered in several vulnerable and low-lying areas of the state. Authorities have also reportedly suspended educational activities in some districts, with all educational institutions in the affected areas ordered to remain closed from Tuesday until Saturday.
Protecting pregnant women and other vulnerable residents has become a key priority in the emergency response. According to The Indian Express, more than 4,700 pregnant women living in potentially dangerous locations have been relocated to hospitals to help ensure their safety and access to medical care during the cyclone.
The potential impact extends beyond India. In neighbouring Sri Lanka, authorities have closed schools as heavy rainfall threatens several parts of the island. The country’s Department of Meteorology has warned that intense storms could trigger flash floods and landslides, raising concerns for communities in exposed and flood-prone areas.
Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre has also confirmed that the military has been placed on alert as officials prepare to respond to possible emergencies. The precautionary measures reflect growing concern about the broader regional impact of severe weather conditions.
Cyclones are a recurring threat across the Bay of Bengal and the northern Indian Ocean. Known as hurricanes in the North Atlantic and typhoons in the Pacific, these powerful weather systems can bring destructive winds, torrential rain, flooding and significant damage to infrastructure and livelihoods.
The report also points to the influence of broader climate conditions, including the El Niño weather phenomenon, amid concerns about unusually warm conditions. However, the relationship between El Niño, ocean temperatures and individual cyclone activity is complex, and the contribution of these factors to a particular storm requires scientific assessment.
As preparations continue, residents in threatened areas are being urged to follow official weather bulletins, comply with evacuation instructions and avoid unnecessary travel through flooded or storm-exposed locations. Securing essential documents, keeping emergency supplies ready and staying in contact with local authorities can also help families prepare for rapidly changing conditions.
For communities along the coast, the immediate priority is safety. Timely evacuations, coordinated emergency services and access to reliable information can make a critical difference when a severe storm approaches. Authorities will need to remain alert as the situation develops and provide clear guidance to residents in the areas most at risk.
