Amaravati: Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab began impacting Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, bringing high waves, seawater intrusion into coastal areas and heavy rainfall that created flood-like conditions in several places. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert, and the state government remains on high alert to respond to any eventuality.
According to the IMD, the landfall process of Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab along the Andhra Pradesh coast was underway on Wednesday, with the storm’s centre remaining very close to the shoreline. Dense clouds associated with the system had already moved inland over coastal areas, a process expected to continue for the next three hours.
The meteorological department stated that the system would continue moving northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam (south of Yanam) as a very severe cyclonic storm within the next three hours. Maximum sustained wind speeds are expected to reach 135 kmph, with gusts of up to 150 kmph.
Heavy rainfall was reported from several locations in Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Konaseema districts. Collectors of Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Konaseema and West Godavari districts confirmed instances of heavy rain and strong winds, with trees uprooted in some areas.
In Kakinada district, police rescued four people stranded in floodwaters near the Bombay Katta area after heavy rain and seawater inundated the locality. The four individuals, who had reported for duty in the morning, remained trapped until night as rising water completely surrounded their location, leaving them with no way out. After they alerted the police, a rescue operation was launched and the group was brought to safety.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as the cyclone’s effects unfold across the coastal belt.
