Cyclone Arnab Intensifies Over Bay of Bengal
Why in News?
- On 26 October 2026, the India Meteorological Department said that the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal had intensified into Cyclone Arnab, PTI reported.
- At 5:30 am it lay about 590 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram and 650 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, moving west at about 15 km an hour.
- It is forecast to become a severe cyclonic storm by midnight and a very severe cyclonic storm on 27 October.
- It is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of 28 October, with winds of up to 125 km/h and gusts of 140 km/h.
Key Terminologies
- Cyclone Naming
- Tropical cyclones in the north Indian Ocean get names from a regional list adopted in April 2020 under the framework of the World Meteorological Organization and UNESCAP. Bangladesh proposed the name Arnab.
- Very Severe Cyclonic Storm
- A cyclone with sustained winds of 89 to 117 km/h on the IMD scale. The forecast winds of up to 125 km/h put Arnab at or just above the top of this band at landfall.
- Landfall
- The point at which the centre of a cyclone crosses the coast. Wind, rain and storm surge are strongest near it.
- National Bulletin
- The IMD's regular cyclone update that gives position, movement, forecast stage and warnings. Bulletin No. 8 carried the 5:30 am position for Arnab.
Key Issues
- Fast Intensification: Arnab is forecast to move from cyclonic storm to very severe cyclonic storm in about a day over warm sea water. Quick strengthening leaves less time for coastal districts to prepare.
- Rain Beyond the Landfall Zone: The IMD gave orange alerts for heavy to very heavy rain in Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, which are far from the landfall zone, according to Down To Earth.
- Extremely Heavy Rain at Landfall: Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam may see heavy to very heavy rain, with extremely heavy rain at isolated places on 27 and 28 October.
- Odisha at Risk After Landfall: After landfall the system is projected to move into parts of Odisha, so southern districts face rain and wind even if the coast is not hit.
- Forecast Differences: Down To Earth reported that the storm could become an extremely severe cyclonic storm on 27 October, while PTI reported very severe, which shows how forecasts can change.
Key Implications
Positive/Pros/Merits
- Early Warning: The IMD's bulletins give position, stage, landfall zone and wind speed two days ahead, which allows evacuation and stocking of relief.
- Clear Official Message: The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority's managing director, Prakhar Jain, said the next three days are extremely crucial and urged people to stay alert.
- Odisha's Precautions: The State banned fishing at sea and tourist entry in hills, waterfalls and dams in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur, and deputed eight ministers to monitor work.
- Closures and Preparation: Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in the six districts close on 28 and 29 October, and NDRF, ODRAF and fire services are in position.
Negative/Cons/Demerits
- Loss to Farmers: Odisha advised farmers to harvest and store crops that are 80 to 85 per cent mature, which shows the risk of standing-crop loss.
- Disruption of Livelihoods: Fishing bans and closures hit daily earners and schools.
- Uncertain Track: The IMD's forecast zone from Bapatla to Visakhapatnam is a long stretch of coast, and the track and intensity may change.
- Strain on Relief: Two states and several southern states preparing at once can stretch rescue teams.
Key Initiatives
- IMD National Bulletins: The IMD issues stage-wise forecasts of cyclone strength, track and rainfall, and its bulletin on 26 October set out the path to 28 October.
- Odisha Preparedness: The State banned fishing and tourist entry, closed schools in six districts for 28 and 29 October and pre-positioned NDRF, ODRAF, fire and police teams.
- Andhra Pradesh Alert: The State Disaster Management Authority asked coastal residents to follow official advisories.
- Farm Advisory: Odisha asked farmers to harvest and store crops that are 80 to 85 per cent mature and opened agricultural helplines.
- National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project: The Centre launched it to reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities, as the minister told the Lok Sabha in March 2021.
The India Meteorological Department tracks the storm, the State Disaster Management Authorities lead local response, and the National Disaster Response Force supports rescue. The reports reviewed do not give evacuation numbers.
Director's Perspective
Way Forward
- Share district-wise rain and surge forecasts at shorter intervals, so that evacuation is well targeted.
- Prepare southern states for rain even if landfall is in Andhra Pradesh, since orange alerts cover Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Give farmers early advisories on harvest and storage, to limit crop loss.
Cyclone Arnab shows how a single system can affect many states through wind, rain and sea state. The strengths are early warning and visible preparedness in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, and the weaknesses are rapid intensification, crop exposure and uncertainty about the track. In a Mains answer, credit the IMD and the State agencies, then conclude that resilience needs better farm advisories, strong coastal infrastructure and coordination across states.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Who named Cyclone Arnab?
Bangladesh proposed the name Arnab under the regional cyclone-naming list adopted in April 2020 within the framework of the World Meteorological Organization and UNESCAP, Down To Earth reported. Names for north Indian Ocean cyclones are taken in turn from this list.
Where and when will Cyclone Arnab make landfall?
The India Meteorological Department expects Cyclone Arnab to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of 28 October 2026, with sustained winds of up to 125 km/h and gusts of 140 km/h, PTI reported.
What has Odisha done to prepare?
Odisha banned fishing at sea and tourist entry in hills, waterfalls and dams in six southern districts, and closed schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres there on 28 and 29 October. It deputed eight ministers and pre-positioned NDRF, ODRAF, fire and police teams, according to PTI.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Names of cyclones in the north Indian Ocean are taken from a regional list adopted in 2020.
Bangladesh proposed the name Arnab.
2 A very severe cyclonic storm has sustained winds of 89 to 117 km/h on the IMD scale.
The forecast landfall winds for Arnab are up to 125 km/h.
3 Cyclone Arnab is expected to cross the Gujarat coast on 28 October 2026.
It is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.