Cyclone Arnab: Red Alert for Six Odisha Districts, Landfall Expected Near Yanam on October 28

: Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab, currently active over the west-central Bay of Bengal, is moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 18 kmph. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red warning for six districts of Odisha for October 28, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds.

According to the latest weather bulletin cited in the report, winds of 50–60 kmph, with gusts reaching 70 kmph, are likely in the red-alert districts. Residents have been advised to remain alert and take necessary precautions as the cyclone approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Red Alert for Six Districts

The six districts under red warning are Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur.

These districts are likely to experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning, thunderstorms and strong winds. Wind speeds are expected to reach 50–60 kmph, with gusts of up to 70 kmph.

The administration and residents in these areas have been urged to remain vigilant in view of the adverse weather conditions.

Orange Warning for 10 Districts

The IMD has issued an orange warning for 10 districts of Odisha, forecasting heavy rainfall and strong winds.

The districts under orange warning are Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Boudh, Subarnapur, Bargarh, Balangir, Nuapada and Kalahandi.

Wind speeds in these districts are expected to range between 40 and 50 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 60 kmph. Heavy rainfall is also likely in several areas.

Yellow Warning for 14 Districts

A yellow warning has been issued for 14 districts of the state due to the possibility of heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

The districts are Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.

Wind speeds in these areas may range between 30 and 40 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 50 kmph.

Residents have been advised to monitor weather updates and exercise caution during thunderstorms and strong winds.

Cyclone Moving at 18 Kmph

Cyclone Arnab has been moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 18 kmph over the past six hours.

According to the information provided in the weather bulletin, the system was located approximately 170 km from Visakhapatnam and 140 km from Kakinada. It was also situated around 230 km from Machilipatnam, 300 km east of Bapatla and 380 km south-southwest of Gopalpur.

The cyclone is expected to continue moving west-northwestwards before gradually turning towards the northwest.

Landfall Expected Near Yanam on October 28

According to the IMD forecast cited in the report, Cyclone Arnab is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts by the forenoon of October 28, 2026.

The system is expected to make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam, as an extremely severe cyclonic storm.

At the time of landfall, the maximum sustained wind speed is estimated to reach 125–135 kmph, with gusts potentially reaching 150 kmph.

Although the expected landfall is along the Andhra Pradesh coast, Odisha is likely to experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds in several districts.

Residents, particularly those in the southern and western parts of Odisha, should remain alert and follow official weather advisories and instructions issued by the local administration.