Cyclone Arnab Reaches India’s East Coast as More Than 180,000 Evacuate

October 28, 2026 — Cyclone Arnab has brought dangerous winds and heavy rainfall to India’s eastern coast as authorities in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha move residents out of vulnerable areas. Reuters reported Wednesday that more than 180,000 people had been evacuated across the two states. Officials reported disrupted electricity, uprooted trees and interruptions to transport; subsequent reporting confirmed at least three deaths in Andhra Pradesh, as detailed in the update below.

Where the storm stands

The cyclone’s passage across the Andhra Pradesh coastline has proved difficult to describe as a single moment. Reuters reported that the storm had stalled close to the coast while landfall continued. Associated Press reporting described the storm reaching the Andhra Pradesh coast early Wednesday. Those accounts are consistent with a prolonged coastal crossing, not evidence that the danger ended when the outer bands reached land.

India’s Meteorological Department warned of powerful winds, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding. Reuters cited a forecast of sustained winds around 115–125 kilometres per hour near landfall, with stronger gusts. Low-lying coastal areas face additional danger from storm surge and accumulated rainfall. The exact intensity and location of the most serious impacts can change as new official bulletins arrive.

Why evacuations and transport disruptions matter

The evacuation effort spans densely populated communities and vulnerable low-lying coastal districts. Schools were closed in some affected areas, while flight and train services were disrupted. India’s civil aviation ministry reported suspending operations at three Andhra Pradesh airports, according to Reuters.

The immediate measure of the response is not just how many people moved to shelters. It is whether emergency services can maintain access to hospitals, drinking water and communications while roads and power networks face severe weather. Communities outside the storm’s direct track can also experience dangerous rain and flooding.

Odisha and the wider region remain exposed

Although Andhra Pradesh is the primary landfall area, neighbouring Odisha has also prepared for heavy rainfall and potential flooding. Schools in multiple districts were closed as a precaution, according to local reporting citing state authorities and the India Meteorological Department. In Nepal, officials warned travellers about potentially hazardous high-altitude conditions later in the week as the weather system could contribute to heavy precipitation in the Himalayan region.

Those warnings are forecasts and precautions, not confirmed reports of damage in every location named. Readers in affected districts should follow the latest local disaster-management instructions and official meteorological bulletins rather than treating any single news update as a current safety advisory.

What remains unknown

Update — October 28, 2026: Reuters now reports at least three deaths in Andhra Pradesh linked to Cyclone Arnab, citing Narendra Singh Bundela of India’s National Disaster Response Force. This supersedes the earlier reporting cutoff when no fatalities had been confirmed. The death toll and damage assessments may change as emergency teams reach affected areas. More than 180,000 evacuations across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha were reported earlier; evacuation totals should not be confused with deaths or injuries. Source: Reuters, updated October 28.

Sources and updates: Reuters, October 28, 2026: cyclone and evacuation status; Associated Press, October 28: Andhra Pradesh landfall and emergency preparations; Indian Express: Odisha closures and IMD warnings.

Featured image: General storm-cloud photograph by Michael Skok via Unsplash. Illustrative only; it does not show Cyclone Arnab or the affected coastline.

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