Cyclone Arnab forecast to reach Andhra coast October 28

Cyclone Arnab is forecast to reach the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts by the morning of October 28, with the India Meteorological Department warning of winds up to 140 km/h, very heavy rain and possible coastal flooding. The IMD expects the storm to cross between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam. Its forecast calls for sustained winds of 115-125 km/h and gusts reaching 140 km/h. The agency said Arnab was likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27 before moving toward the coast. The exact crossing point and the storm’s eventual track and intensity remain subject to updated forecasts. The IMD forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha from October 27 to 29. It warned that strong winds and rain could damage homes, crops, power lines, roads and railways, while flooding, waterlogging and landslides are possible in vulnerable areas. The agency also forecast water levels 1.0 to 1.5 metres above astronomical tide at landfall, with the highest surge near Kakinada and Yanam. That estimate describes the surge above the tide, not total flood depth. Odisha said schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres...