The key facts

  • Cyclone Arnab is forecast as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with gusts of up to 140 km/h and landfall expected by Wednesday
  • Evacuations are underway from low-lying areas of Andhra Pradesh, with educational institutions closed from Tuesday to Saturday
  • According to The Indian Express, more than 4,700 pregnant women from dangerous areas have been moved to hospitals

Storm approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast

Indian authorities have ordered evacuations in the southwest of Andhra Pradesh state as a powerful cyclone approaches, which, according to the national weather service's forecast, is expected to make landfall no later than Wednesday. This was reported by the AFP agency citing a bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) published on Tuesday.

Forecast and government measures

According to the IMD, Arnab will make landfall as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with wind gusts of up to 140 kilometers per hour. The weather service expects 'total destruction' of thatched and reed houses, localized flooding, downed power and communication lines, as well as 'extensive damage' to standing crops.

Evacuations and closures

State Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu ordered that the storm be 'monitored continuously and preemptive measures taken' — a statement to that effect from his office was issued on Monday. According to local media reports cited by AFP, the authorities of Andhra Pradesh organized evacuations from key low-lying areas and closed 'all educational institutions' in several districts from Tuesday through Saturday. The Indian Express newspaper reports that more than 4,700 pregnant women who lived in potentially dangerous areas have been moved to hospitals.

Sri Lanka prepares for heavy rains

Neighboring Sri Lanka has closed schools amid warnings of torrential rains: the island's meteorological department warned that the storms could cause flash floods and landslides. The disaster management center in Colombo said the army has been placed on standby.

Season context

AFP notes that cyclones are a regular threat to the Bay of Bengal and the northern Indian Ocean, but, according to the agency, the current storm season has been 'accelerated' by the El Niño phenomenon, which has caused unprecedented warming. This assessment belongs to the source; no independent verification is provided in the report.