Cyclone Arnab Intensifies, Forcing Tens of Thousands Evacuation on India's Eastern Coast

India is undertaking a large-scale evacuation of tens of thousands of people from its eastern coastline as a powerful Cyclone Arnab strengthens and approaches the region. The storm, which has been intensifying since Monday, is projected to make landfall by Wednesday morning.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning for the coastal states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The department stated that the "very severe" cyclonic storm was located approximately 260km (160 miles) southeast of Visakhapatnam, the most populous city in Andhra Pradesh. Arnab is expected to shift northwest and make landfall by 11:30 am local time (06:00 GMT) on Wednesday, with sustained winds anticipated between 115-125km/h (71-78mph) and gusts potentially reaching 140km/h (87mph).

Cyclone Arnab originated in the Bay of Bengal, an area known for its frequent tropical cyclone activity that often impacts India's eastern coastal areas. According to Andhra Pradesh's disaster management authority, over 12 million people reside along the cyclone's predicted path, which extends inland and northward across India. By Monday night, nearly 50,000 individuals had been relocated to shelters from vulnerable areas within the state, out of an estimated 400,000 requiring evacuation, as reported by the authority's managing director, Prakhar Jain, to Reuters. Jain confirmed that "Evacuation is continuing."

Railway authorities in the affected region announced via social media the cancellation of at least 12 trains in eastern India and the suspension of services on 53 routes along the southern coast for Tuesday and Wednesday.

In Odisha, authorities have announced plans to evacuate 48,000 people to safety, as reported by the local newspaper The Hindu. Meanwhile, in neighboring Nepal, authorities have advised tourists to avoid high-altitude regions due to concerns that Cyclone Arnab could bring heavy rainfall, snowstorms, and avalanches to the Himalayas between Thursday night and Saturday. This advisory follows a devastating flash flood in the Himalayas in August that resulted in approximately 1,500 fatalities in Nepal.