Overview
- IMD forecasts Cyclone Arnab will intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before crossing the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28.
- The storm is expected to bring sustained winds of roughly 115–135 km/h with gusts up to about 150 km/h and extremely heavy rainfall over parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh.
- Airlines have suspended multiple sectors and altered schedules, with IndiGo cancelling all its Vijayawada departures for October 28 and at least 21 total cancellations reported across Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam so far.
- Airport officials and carriers are advising passengers to check flight status with their airlines before travelling to the airport because further cancellations or delays are likely as forecasts update.
- State authorities have placed coastal Andhra Pradesh on high alert and planned evacuations and precautionary measures, and further operational or local emergency actions could follow as the system approaches.