Cyclone Arnab hits Andhra Pradesh with 135kph winds and 1.5m surge
Indian authorities evacuated 180,000 residents before the storm crossed the coast, while Nepal halted trekking permits and Sri Lanka closed schools.
By Kwame Montgomery ·
Cyclone Arnab crossed the coastline of Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of Wednesday, bringing sustained winds of 135 kilometers per hour and heavy rainfall to the region. The storm was classified as a very severe cyclonic storm, the third-highest category on the Indian scale, before weakening to severe status as it moved inland. Up to 1.5 meters of storm surge above normal tide levels submerged low-lying areas along the coast.
Local officials evacuated more than 180,000 people from Andhra Pradesh and the neighboring state of Odisha on Tuesday. This move followed forecasts that placed over 12 million people in the storm’s expected path. Infrastructure damage included downed trees blocking highways and widespread power outages. Transport networks were disrupted, with flights and train services cancelled. Several schools also closed their doors for the day.
The storm’s impact extended beyond the Indian coast. In Nepal, authorities advised tourists to avoid high-altitude zones on Tuesday due to risks of avalanches and heavy snowfall from Thursday through Saturday. This warning comes during the peak hiking season, when approximately 750 hikers typically receive permits daily. Authorities suspended new trekking permits for three days, adding to the strain on a region still recovering from the August glacial collapse that killed over 1,400 people.
Sri Lanka also took precautionary measures, closing schools nationwide. The Department of Meteorology warned that the system could trigger flash floods and landslides across the island. In the Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh, residents described the uncertainty of the flooding. One resident noted that no one knew which houses the water would reach next or which homes would be submerged.
No casualties had been reported as of Wednesday morning. The India Meteorological Department continued to monitor the storm's movement, maintaining that the surge would likely affect coastal zones for several hours after landfall.
Source: Al Jazeera
