Cyclone Arnab Landfall In Andhra Pradesh Triggers Heavy Rain And Damage

The India Meteorological Department has officially reported that the landfall process of the very severe cyclonic storm Arnab is currently underway along the coast of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, with the center of the fierce storm remaining positioned very close to the coastline. The devastating impact of Cyclone Arnab has now started becoming distinctly visible across various regions of Andhra Pradesh. According to the latest data and reports provided by the meteorological department, the center of this intense cyclonic storm is situated very close to the sea coast, and the landfall process of crossing the coast will continue uninterrupted for the next three hours, while heavy rainfall accompanied by continuously gusting high-speed winds across Andhra Pradesh has resulted in the uprooting of numerous large trees, causing severe blockades on important routes such as the Beach Road and the Seethamadhara path. According to the latest ground updates, after the storm crossed the coast, several trees were uprooted in Visakhapatnam and Balasore, and power lines were snapped at multiple locations. Roads are submerged under water to a large extent, compelling residents to stay indoors for their own safety.

According to the India Meteorological Department, this cyclonic storm is very likely to continue moving in a north-northwestward direction and is strongly expected to cross the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam during the next three hours. This landfall is anticipated to occur primarily between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to the south of Yanam. Throughout this entire timeframe, this severe system will persist as a very severe cyclonic storm, featuring general wind speeds reaching up to one hundred thirty-five kilometers per hour and gusting up to one hundred fifty kilometers per hour at a few isolated locations. Driven by the dangerous gales resulting from the impact of this cyclone, a large tree near the Andhra University College of Engineering for Women was completely uprooted from its base.

On the other hand, heavy sea turbulence, strong surface winds, and continuous heavy downpours are being witnessed in Gopalpur within the Ganjam district as Cyclone Arnab continues to intensify further, while the center of this severe cyclonic storm remains extremely close to the coast, and the landfall process will keep progressing for the next few hours. Under the influence of this cyclone, heavy rainfall was recorded across multiple areas in Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Konaseema districts. Meanwhile, the District Collectors of Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Konaseema, and West Godavari districts provided detailed accounts of heavy rainfall and high-velocity winds experienced within their respective jurisdictions. Administrative officials also officially confirmed that due to the cyclonic impact, heavy trees have fallen at certain spots, and clearance work is underway.

According to information shared by local police, four individuals trapped amidst floodwaters in the Bombay Katta area of the Kakinada district were safely rescued by the police force as torrential rains and overflowing seawater inundated the region. Four people who had arrived for their routine morning duty remained trapped there until late into night because heavy floodwaters surrounded their location from all directions, leaving absolutely no path for them to exit safely, while these stranded employees managed to inform the local police about their precarious situation, prompting the immediate launch of a focused rescue operation.

The police rescue team successfully evacuated all four individuals from the flooded zone without any delay, seated them safely inside a vehicle, and escorted them back to their respective homes, while meanwhile, highly concerning reports emerged that three people were trapped inside the Central Warehousing Corporation godowns located at the Kakinada Anchorage Port due to the cyclone. Continuous heavy rainfall and seawater flooding directly into the premises created a severe flood-like situation, accompanied by a complete blackout of the electrical supply across the entire facility, while the situation escalated further when night-shift working employees found themselves completely surrounded by rising floodwaters, restricting them from exiting the godown premises safely. Police officials informed the public that operations team members and LPA staff were similarly unable to exit that location due to the floods, while authorities continuously worked to ensure safety.