Eastern coastal states Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have stepped up precautionary measures ahead of Cyclone 'Arnab's possible landfall on Wednesday.
Schools have been closed in both states, fishing in the sea has been banned and rescue teams have been kept ready.
The aim of the authorities is to ensure that no one is killed and there is minimal damage to the infrastructure.
According to South India's leading English newspaper The Hindu, there is an atmosphere of fear on the Kakinada coast of Andhra Pradesh. The coastal area is preparing to face the extremely severe cyclonic storm Arnab on 28 October. This date is close to the anniversary of the severe cyclonic storm 'Montha', which hit this coast at midnight on October 29, 2025.
The Meteorological Department said that the deep depression formed in the east-central and south-eastern parts of the Bay of Bengal has moved towards the west and has transformed into cyclonic storm 'Arnab'.
According to the department, it is likely to cross the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the morning of 28 October as a very severe cyclonic storm. During this period, the maximum wind speed is likely to be 125–135 kilometers per hour and the speed of gusts is likely to reach 150 kilometers per hour.
According to the Meteorological Department, the extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Arnab' formed over the west-central Bay of Bengal has moved approximately in the west-northwest direction at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour during the last six hours.
According to the lists released so far, Railways has canceled at least 61 trains due to cyclone 'Arnab'. Of these, 53 passenger trains will remain canceled on Tuesday (October 27, 2026) and Wednesday.
These trains connect Vijayawada to Machilipatnam, Gudivada, Narasapur, Bhimavaram, Rajahmundry, Kakinada Port, Guntur and Repalle.
This delta area is closest to the place where the cyclone is likely to hit the coast. On the route from Visakhapatnam to the hilly areas, the Visakhapatnam–Kirandul passenger train, which goes up to Araku, and the Visakhapatnam–Koraput passenger train will remain canceled till October 30 or 31.
Visakhapatnam–Kirandul Night Express has been canceled for a week from October 29 to November 4.
Air India issued a travel advisory on Tuesday, warning that flights to and from Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada may be affected due to cyclone 'Arnab'.
In view of the possibility of inclement weather along the Andhra Pradesh coast, the airline has appealed to passengers to check the status of their flights and allow extra time to reach the airport.
The India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday that due to cyclone 'Arnab', there may be heavy rain in some parts of West Bengal from Wednesday (October 28, 2026) to Friday.
In South Bengal, there is a possibility of heavy rain in South 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and West Bardhaman on October 28 and 29. According to the Meteorological Department, there may be light to moderate rain in Kolkata in the next 48 hours.
In North Bengal, there is a possibility of heavy rain in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri on 29 and 30 October.
Fishermen have been advised not to go into the sea till October 29. Winds can blow at a speed of 40–50 kilometers per hour around the coast of West Bengal and in the sea, whose gusts can reach 60 kilometers per hour.
Due to cyclone 'Arnab', there is a possibility of heavy rain for three days in some parts of Jharkhand from Wednesday. The state government has instructed the district administration to remain alert.
IMD has issued a yellow alert regarding heavy rain in Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Seraikela-Kharsawan and East and West Singhbhum districts for the next 24 hours from 8.30 am on Wednesday.
There is a possibility of heavy rain in Chatra, Koderma, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Ranchi, Khunti, Seraikela-Kharsawan and East Singhbhum during the next 24 hours from 8.30 am on October 29.
After this the rain is likely to become more intense. Orange alert has been issued in Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla, Simdega and West Singhbhum till 8.30 am on October 30.
There is also a possibility of thunder, lightning and strong gusty winds during these three days.
