Cyclone Alert: Andhra Pradesh And Odisha On High Watch As Very Severe Storm Nears Bay Of Bengal Coast
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VISAKHAPATNAM / BHUBANESWAR:The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a very severe cyclonic storm nearing the Andhra Pradesh coast, with Odisha also on alert for extremely heavy rain and winds up to 140 kmph.
In its latest bulletin at 8:30 AM IST on October 25, 2026, IMD said a depression over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal remained practically stationary and lay centred about 420 km north-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram, 870 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 960 km east-southeast of Kakinada.
The system is very likely to move nearly southwards, intensify into a deep depression on October 25, and then gradually recurve west-northwestwards.
Intensification Path:
Moving west-northwestwards, it is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26, into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 27, and into a very severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28.
It is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph by forenoon of October 28. The system is expected to be named Cyclone Arnab upon intensifying into a cyclonic storm.
Impact on Odisha:
Although landfall is forecast in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha is bracing for severe weather. IMD Director Manorama Mohanty in Bhubaneswar said Odisha will see extremely heavy rainfall and gusty winds, particularly in southern regions.
Five Odisha districts bordering Andhra Pradesh — Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada and Malkangiri — are under a red warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall from October 27, with rainfall exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours expected.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said although the system is forecast to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh about 300 km from Odisha’s Gopalpur, the state would take no chances. He reiterated the state’s zero-casualty objective.
Preparedness Measures:
The Odisha government has cancelled leaves of all district collectors, magistrates and officers in critical departments, ordering them to return to headquarters immediately. About 225 rescue teams, including 60 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units, 17 NDRF teams and fire services have been mobilised in vulnerable areas. Schools and colleges have been shut in 5 districts.
Andhra Pradesh has activated control rooms to monitor safety of over 30,000 fishing boats across 12 coastal districts and is bracing for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall between October 26-29.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal till October 29 and all vessels at sea have been directed to return to the coast immediately. Seab conditions are forecast to become rough to very rough from Sunday evening, high from Monday, and phenomenal with waves over 46 feet by Wednesday.
