Andhra Pradesh: The landfall process of very severe cyclonic storm Arnab continued along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, with the storm’s centre remaining close to the shoreline, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The weather agency said the cyclone’s northern spiral band had moved further inland, and the landfall process was expected to continue for another three hours. The system was moving northwestwards and was forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near the south of Yanam.
At the time of the IMD’s update, the cyclone was positioned over the west-central Bay of Bengal near latitude 16.4 degrees north and longitude 82 degrees east. It was located approximately 30 km east of Narsapur, 45 km south-southwest of Yanam, 70 km south-southwest of Kakinada and 90 km east-northeast of Machilipatnam.
The IMD warned that the storm could bring sustained winds of up to 135 kmph, with gusts reaching 150 kmph during the following three hours as it continued its movement towards the coast.
Heavy Rainfall Hits Coastal Districts
Several areas across the coastal districts of Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Konaseema experienced heavy rainfall as the cyclone approached and began moving inland. District administrations also reported strong winds and rain-related damage, including fallen trees in some locations.
Collectors in Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Konaseema and West Godavari districts were monitoring the situation as adverse weather conditions affected local areas.
The combination of intense rainfall and seawater inundation created dangerous conditions in parts of Kakinada district, where rising floodwaters left four people stranded near the Bombay Katta area.
Police Rescue Four People Trapped by Floodwaters
According to a statement issued by Kakinada district police, four people who had left for work in the morning became trapped after floodwaters surrounded the place where they were staying. By night, the water had blocked their exit, leaving them unable to reach safety on their own.
After receiving information about their situation, police personnel initiated a rescue operation and safely brought all four people out of the flooded area.
The rescued individuals were assisted into a vehicle and sent back to their respective homes, the police statement said.
Authorities Monitor the Situation
With the cyclone’s landfall process still underway, heavy rain and strong winds remained a concern for several coastal districts. The IMD’s forecast indicated that the storm would continue moving northwestwards while crossing the coastline.
The reported rescue in Kakinada highlighted the immediate risks posed by flooding and seawater intrusion during the cyclone. Local authorities continued to monitor weather-related developments as the storm affected communities along the Andhra Pradesh coast.
