Cyclone Arnab Claims Five Lives in Andhra Pradesh
Cyclone Arnab made landfall in Andhra Pradesh, resulting in five fatalities and significant rainfall across the region.
Five individuals lost their lives due to incidents related to Cyclone Arnab.
Over 180,000 people were evacuated as the cyclone approached the coast.
Heavy rainfall was recorded, with Visakhapatnam experiencing the highest at 315 mm.
Cyclone Arnab made landfall near the Andhra Pradesh coast early Wednesday, leading to the tragic loss of five lives across various districts. The fatalities were reported from Vizag, Anakapalle, Kakinada, Konaseema, and West Godavari, with victims suffering from electrocution and injuries caused by falling trees.
The cyclone, classified as a 'very severe' storm by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), exhibited maximum sustained winds of 125-135 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 150 km/h. As of 9:50 AM, the cyclone was situated approximately 20 kilometers east of Narsapur and had completed its landfall process, moving inland.
In preparation for the cyclone's arrival, authorities evacuated over 180,000 residents from vulnerable areas. Heavy rainfall was reported across several districts, with Visakhapatnam receiving the highest precipitation at 315 mm. Other areas such as Vizianagaram and Anakapalli also experienced significant rainfall, leading to disruptions in power supply and transportation services, including flight cancellations to Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.
The cyclone's impact extended beyond Andhra Pradesh, with Odisha also experiencing heavy rainfall, particularly in Koraput, which recorded 188 mm. While there have been no reports of casualties in Odisha, the storm has caused power outages and uprooted trees, prompting school closures and train service cancellations in affected areas.
Looking ahead, meteorological officials predict that heavy rainfall will persist in the region on Wednesday and Thursday. The cyclone, named Arnab, was proposed by Bangladesh and is part of a naming system established by the World Meteorological Organization to help identify and track tropical cyclones more effectively.
