Cyclone Arnab Strikes Eastern India and Triggers Weather Warnings Across Nepal

A powerful cyclonic storm named Arnab made landfall along the eastern coast of India on Wednesday, bringing destructive winds, severe flooding, and widespread transit disruptions to coastal regions before prompting emergency weather warnings across neighboring Nepal. The storm originated in the Bay of Bengal and struck near the coast of Andhra Pradesh and the territory of Yanam, leaving regional disaster authorities on high alert as the system tracked inland.

According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, Arnab pushed peak wind speeds of up to 185 kilometers per hour as it approached the shoreline. The cyclonic system inundated coastal districts, forced the cancellation of numerous rail services and flights, and disrupted normal life across the state. Authorities managed to evacuate more than 89,000 residents from vulnerable low-lying areas to designated relief centers. With roughly 12 million people residing along the storm's projected path, officials established more than 2,000 cyclone shelters across 20 districts and sent emergency text alerts to millions of mobile devices.

Although the storm weakened from an extremely severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm shortly after making landfall, neighboring Odisha faced significant secondary impacts. The India Meteorological Department issued flash flood alerts for five southern districts: Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, and Gajapati. Dr. Manorama Mohanty, director of the regional meteorological center in Bhubaneswar, warned that sustained downpours could trigger sudden inundations in low-lying zones and rapid surges in local rivers and streams.

Forecasters warned that Southern Odisha could experience sustained winds of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching up to 80 kilometers per hour, threatening power lines, trees, and fragile structures. Rainfall in several southern districts was projected to exceed 20 centimeters. In response, the Odisha government ordered the closure of educational institutions in eight districts, drew up plans to evacuate approximately 48,000 individuals, prepared over 1,700 permanent and temporary shelters, and deployed 294 rescue teams while barring fishermen from venturing into rough seas.

The broader storm system also affected neighboring Indian states, including Jharkhand. In the Gumla district, overcast skies and localized morning rains led district administrators to shut down schools to protect children from anticipated inclement weather and strong winds, while local farmers rushed to protect standing paddy and other agricultural crops from potential rain damage.

The remnants and peripheral moisture of Cyclone Arnab are also posing severe weather risks across Nepal. Nepal's Meteorological Forecasting Division and the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces face moderate to heavy rainfall from Thursday through Saturday. Hilly and mountainous regions across Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces are also bracing for adverse weather conditions, including possible road blockages and landslides.

In Nepal's high-altitude zones, meteorological authorities warned of severe snowfall, blizzards, and avalanches. In response, the Department of Immigration issued an urgent advisory urging tourists and mountain trekkers to avoid high-altitude excursions between Kartik 12 and 14. Guides and climbing groups already stationed in the mountains were instructed to seek immediate shelter, while agricultural officials advised farmers to expedite harvesting standing paddy crops to avoid total loss.

The impending deluge has also cast uncertainty over sporting events in Nepal, including the Nepal Premier League cricket tournament at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Match officials noted that scheduled weekend fixtures involving teams such as Chitwan Rhinos, Lumbini Lions, Biratnagar Kings, and Sudurpaschim Royals face potential disruptions or cancellations under tournament weather protocols if rain persists.