Severe storm in Andhra Pradesh; Cyclone 'Arnab' makes landfall at twice the predicted speed

AMARAVATI: Tension mounts in Andhra Pradesh after Cyclone Arnab, formed in the Bay of Bengal, reached the coast at twice the expected speed. The cyclone made landfall in Andhra Pradesh around 4:00 AM today. Evacuations from most areas had already been carried out last night. Heavy damage is being reported along the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

The meteorological monitoring systems failed to accurately determine the speed of the cyclone. Meanwhile, the US Navy warned that the cyclone would reach the coast at twice the speed predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). According to the current report from IMD, the wind speed in the outer periphery of the cyclone ranges from 125 to 135 km/h. There is also a possibility that the wind speed could increase up to 150 km/h.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that the state government is ongoing with its preparations to deal with the cyclone. He noted that people are being evacuated from vulnerable areas and that 2,199 relief centres have been set up. The Chief Minister further informed that 12 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 10 teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed for rescue operations. As a precautionary measure, train and flight services have also been cancelled.