Cyclone Arnab hits Andhra Pradesh coast as another storm forms
Force in Play
Cyclone Arnab hit Andhra Pradesh on October 28 and Murasu followed on November 3, killing at least 14 people and inundating more than 4.7 lakh hectares of crops. Restoration is nearly complete.
Cyclone Arnab made landfall on October 28 between Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, with peak winds of 135 km/h gusting to 150 km/h, according to the [IMD](https://mausam.imd.gov.in/backend/assets/cyclone_pdf/14_Hourly_Bulletin_281026_0300UTC.pdf). It weakened to a deep depression by late that night. Rain of about 200 mm fell in low-lying areas, and more than 180,000 people were evacuated in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha ([Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cyclone-arnab-live-updates-killed-in-andhra-pradesh-heavy-rainfall-likely-for-next-3-days-10941359/)). Reported deaths vary by source, from three to seven in Andhra Pradesh.
Recovery is underway. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered faster power and road restoration, with 7,000 workers and 400 machines deployed. About 1.95 lakh coconut trees were damaged. A new depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is forecast to become a cyclonic storm named Murasu and reach the Andhra coast around November 3, with winds of 100-110 km/h ([Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/cyclone-murasu-arnab-tracker-live-updates-andhra-pradesh-affected-area-heavy-rainfall-flooding-imd-latest-news/liveblog/135404767.cms)).
Why it matters
A very severe cyclone on India's east coast means wind damage and surge flooding for hundreds of thousands of people this week.
Questions about this story
Free account needed to ask — your question is kept and asked for you right after sign-up. Answers are public.
No questions yet — be the first to ask.
Key Indicators
110–120 km/h
Murasu landfall winds
Observed maximum sustained wind speed during Murasu's landfall near Ongole, per the IMD.
14–17
Deaths across both cyclones
PTI reported 14 deaths; The Hindu reported at least 17.
4.7 lakh ha
Crops inundated
More than 4.7 lakh hectares of crops were inundated across the two storms, per PTI.
14 crore
Mobile alerts sent
Alerts sent through the Common Alerting Protocol and targeted cell broadcast systems during both cyclones.
₹6,500 crore
Estimated damage
Approximate combined damage from Arnab and Murasu, per The Hindu.
27 events
Latest: Yesterday
Showing 8 of 27
JK to step
Tap a bar to jump to that date
November 2026
Naidu says cyclone response was effective
LatestGovernment action
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the government monitored Murasu through the AWARE 2.0 forecasting system and that wind, rainfall and flood forecasts were about 90% accurate. He put Arnab's losses at roughly ₹4,526 crore.
APSDRF details rescue work during Arnab
Response
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response Force said it shifted 341 people to safety, rescued eight and retrieved one body during Arnab. Its teams cleared 728 fallen trees and removed 31 electricity poles from roads.
Combined cyclone damage estimated at ₹6,500 crore
Damage assessment
The Hindu reported that Arnab and Murasu caused damage worth about ₹6,500 crore and left at least 17 people dead. Arnab hit the Godavari districts and north coastal Andhra Pradesh hardest.
Andhra restores most services after two cyclones
Response
Almost all damaged power infrastructure, telecom towers, roads and drinking water facilities had been restored. RTGS CEO Prakhar Jain said coordination with APSDMA helped streamline warnings, evacuations and rescue work.
Cyclone Murasu makes landfall near Ongole
Landfall
Murasu crossed the coast near Ongole in Prakasam district between 3:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. with maximum sustained winds of 110–120 km/h. It brought about 200 mm of rain to Prakasam and Bapatla districts.
Murasu kills two in Bapatla and damages crops
Casualties
A 25-year-old man in Chinnaganjam and a 65-year-old woman in Karamchedu died after buildings collapsed. Crops over 52,459 hectares and 312 houses were damaged, with preliminary losses estimated at ₹344 crore.
IMD issues Red Message for Murasu
Alert
The India Meteorological Department issued a Red Message about 37 hours before Murasu's expected landfall, prompting Andhra Pradesh's emergency operations centre to activate arrangements.
October 2026
Andhra Pradesh orders restoration and high alert
Government action
Naidu ordered faster restoration and a high alert for a second cyclone. Compensation was set at ₹54,000 per hectare for 1,293 hectares of coconut plantations and ₹35,000 per hectare for banana losses on 15,000 hectares.
Odisha plans airlift for flood-stranded residents
Response
Odisha asked the Union Home Ministry for a Coast Guard helicopter to airlift more than 2,000 residents stranded by flooding in Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
IMD tracks new depression that could become Murasu
Forecast
A low-pressure system over the southeast Bay of Bengal concentrated into a depression. The IMD forecast a cyclonic storm on November 1 and a severe cyclonic storm on November 2. If it forms, the storm will be named Murasu.
Naidu asks Centre for damage assessment team
Government action
Naidu wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a central team to assess damage. He said 14 coastal districts were badly affected. Evacuations had moved more than 28,000 people to relief shelters.
Forecast landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam
Forecast
Storm surge of 1.0-1.5 meters expected to inundate low-lying areas near Kakinada and Yanam during landfall forenoon.
Cyclone Arnab makes landfall near Narsapur
Landfall
Landfall took about six hours and was completed with the system fully over land. Peak winds reached 135 km/h, gusting to 150 km/h.
Arnab weakens to deep depression
Intensification
The IMD placed the system over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha, near 17.8°N, 81.8°E. It was expected to weaken into a depression by the next morning.
Deaths reported across Andhra Pradesh
Casualties
AP News reported three deaths in India. Indian Express reported seven deaths in Andhra Pradesh from falling trees, electrocution and wall collapses.
More than 180,000 evacuated in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
Response
Evacuations covered more than 10 Andhra Pradesh districts, including Eluru, West Godavari and Vizianagaram. About 200 mm of rain fell in low-lying areas.
Forecast: very severe cyclonic storm strength
Forecast
IMD expects winds to reach 115-125 km/h gusting to 140 km/h as the storm approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast.
IMD advisory upgrades storm to very severe, raises wind forecast
Forecast
IMD named the storm Arnab and forecast winds of 125-135 km/h gusting to 150 km/h by 0600 UTC on October 28. The system was centered about 220 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam.
IMD issues red alert for extremely heavy rain in seven districts
Alert
The alert covered Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, ASR, Anakapalli and Kakinada until 4 p.m. Visakhapatnam Rural had recorded about 58 mm by 1 p.m.
Evacuations and transport cancellations begin along Andhra coast
Response
About 89,000 people on the Kakinada coast are being moved to 101 relief camps. At least 72 trains were cancelled, four Visakhapatnam flights were cancelled, and beaches in Visakhapatnam were closed.
NDRF deploys 31 teams across five states and Yanam
Response
Twelve teams are in Andhra Pradesh, nine in Odisha, four in Chhattisgarh, three in Telangana and two in Yanam, according to the NDRF.
Forecast: intensification into a cyclonic storm
Forecast
IMD projects the system will reach cyclonic storm strength during the early morning, winds 65-90 km/h.
National Crisis Management Committee reviews cyclone preparedness
Government action
Cabinet Secretary T. V. Somanathan chaired the review. Fishermen were told not to venture into the Bay of Bengal off Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Yanam from October 26 to 29.
System intensifies to deep depression
Intensification
IMD upgrades the depression to a deep depression, centered at 15.1°N, 91.0°E, and issues Cyclone Alert for Andhra Pradesh.
GDACS issues Orange notification for TWO-26
Alert
Global alert system estimates 356,000 people in path of Category 1 winds or higher; flags India's vulnerability as high.
Storm moves west-northwest, winds reach 55-65 km/h
Intensification
Deep depression centered at 15.3°N, 89.7°E, about 730 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam; IMD forecasts cyclonic storm by morning.
Depression forms over Bay of Bengal
Formation
A low-pressure system strengthens into a depression; IMD warns fishermen to avoid the east-central Bay of Bengal.
Scenarios
1
Cyclone TWO-26 slams Andhra Pradesh as forecast
Deadline passed (Oct 28, 2026)
Discussed by: India Meteorological Department forecast
The IMD projected landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on the morning of October 28 with sustained winds of 125-135 km/h. If the storm holds its trajectory and intensity, coastal Andhra Pradesh faces peak winds, a 1.0-1.5 meter surge, and widespread damage to homes, crops, and power lines.
2
Storm weakens before reaching the coast
Deadline passed (Oct 28, 2026)
Discussed by: Regional meteorologists tracking wind shear and dry air
If the system encounters stronger vertical wind shear or dry air as it approaches land, it could weaken below very severe cyclonic storm strength. Wind damage would drop, but heavy rainfall and inland flooding could persist after landfall.
3
Track shifts north, pulling Odisha into the impact zone
Deadline passed (Oct 28, 2026)
Discussed by: IMD probability cone and regional disaster agencies
A more northward movement would shift the storm's center toward Srikakulam district or the Odisha coast, moving the heaviest impacts north of Visakhapatnam. Odisha has already activated its disaster mitigation machinery in anticipation.
4
Murasu crosses the Andhra coast as a severe cyclonic storm
Deadline passed (Nov 3, 2026)
Discussed by: India Meteorological Department, Times of India
The IMD forecasts the system will cross between Nellore and Narsapur on November 3 with winds of 100-110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h. Heavy rain is expected in Krishna, Guntur, Nellore and other districts.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
1 of 3
October 2014
Cyclone Hudhud (2014)
A very severe cyclonic storm struck Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on October 12, 2014, with peak winds near 185 km/h, the strongest cyclone to hit that city in over a century. At least 60 people died across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, and damage ran into the billions of dollars.
Then
Visakhapatnam's airport, port, and power grid were badly damaged; reconstruction took years.
Now
The storm pushed Andhra Pradesh to upgrade cyclone shelters, warning systems, and evacuation planning along its coast.
Why this matters now
Hudhud struck nearly the same stretch of coast in the same month. The region's current readiness reflects lessons learned from that storm.
2 of 3
October 2013
Cyclone Phailin (2013)
A very severe cyclonic storm made landfall near Gopalpur, Odisha on October 12, 2013, with winds exceeding 200 km/h. Indian authorities evacuated roughly a million people from the coast before it arrived.
Then
About 45 people died — a fraction of the toll from comparable earlier storms.
Now
Phailin established mass evacuation as the standard playbook for Indian cyclone response.
Why this matters now
The 2013 storm proved that early, large-scale evacuation saves lives, the same strategy Andhra Pradesh is applying to TWO-26.
3 of 3
October 1999
1999 Odisha Super Cyclone
A super cyclonic storm hit the Odisha coast on October 29, 1999, with winds up to 260 km/h and a storm surge reaching six meters in places. Roughly 10,000 people died, most by drowning.
Then
The disaster overwhelmed local response, with survivors facing weeks without clean water, food, or shelter.
Now
It prompted India to build a modern cyclone early-warning network and shelters, and led to the creation of Odisha's State Disaster Management Authority.
Why this matters now
It remains the worst-case benchmark for Bay of Bengal cyclones and the reason authorities evacuate coastal populations so aggressively today.
