Cyclone Arnab Slams India's East Coast, Causing Widespread Damage and Disruptions

Cyclone Arnab has made landfall on India’s east coast, bringing with it widespread damage, heavy rainfall, and wind speeds reaching up to 135kph (84mph). The cyclone crossed into Andhra Pradesh early on Wednesday morning, causing trees to fall onto highways and disrupting power supplies. In preparation for Arnab's arrival, at least 180,000 people were evacuated from the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha a day prior. The severe weather led to the cancellation of flights and train services, and some schools were compelled to close.

Authorities have indicated that over 12 million people reside within the cyclone's projected path. As of now, no casualties have been officially reported. Residents in Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh, a region directly in the storm's path, expressed their fear, with one stating, “No one knew whose house the water would rush into next or whose home would be submerged.” The India Meteorological Department had forecast a storm surge of up to 1.5 meters above the tide level, warning of potential submergence in low-lying areas of Andhra Pradesh.

Cyclone Arnab initially made landfall as a “very severe cyclonic storm,” the third-highest category on the Indian scale, before being downgraded to “severe” as it moved further inland. The impact of the cyclone has extended beyond India, with authorities in neighboring Nepal issuing warnings to tourists on Tuesday against entering high-altitude areas. They fear Arnab could trigger torrential downpours, snowstorms, and avalanches from Thursday through Saturday. Reuters reported that trekking permit issuance has been suspended for three days, a critical period during Nepal's peak hiking season when approximately 750 hikers typically receive permits daily. Nepal is still grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophic glacial mountain collapse in August, which resulted in over 1,400 deaths and at least 5,000 missing.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has also closed schools as its Department of Meteorology has cautioned that the storm could lead to flash floods and landslides.