Cyclone Arnab: 20 Fishermen Missing, 150 kmph Winds Lash Coast

Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to south of Yanam, as a very severe cyclonic storm. Maximum sustained wind speeds reached 125 to 135 kilometers per hour (78 to 84 miles per hour), with gusts up to 150 kilometers per hour (93 miles per hour). The storm weakened into a severe cyclonic storm once its center moved entirely over land, with wind speeds dropping to 110 to 120 kilometers per hour (68 to 75 miles per hour), and later weakened into a depression over central Chhattisgarh and south Odisha.

Reports differed on the duration of the landfall process, with some saying it continued for about two hours and others stating it continued for nearly six hours. The cyclone slowed significantly near the coast, reducing from 18 to 20 kilometers per hour (11 to 12 miles per hour) to around 3 kilometers per hour (2 miles per hour), before moving over land. Odisha experienced heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and winds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour (25 to 31 miles per hour), with southern districts facing the strongest effects.

Five people were killed in Andhra Pradesh: Amrapinni Devmud and Kolamuru Madhavi from the Visakhapatnam region, Chukkala Kishore from Bhimavaram, Bhagyalakshmi from Anakapalli, and Kollu Venkayamma from Sakretipalli. Separate reports stated that two people were electrocuted in Anakapalli and Visakhapatnam districts and that no other casualties were reported in Andhra Pradesh.

Srikakulam district received 4,094.2 millimeters (161.2 inches) of rain, far above the normal average of 136.5 millimeters (5.4 inches). Kanchili mandal recorded 248.5 millimeters (9.8 inches). Ichchapuram gauges recorded between 218 millimeters (8.6 inches) and 238 millimeters (9.4 inches). In Odisha, Patrapur in Ganjam district recorded 546 millimeters (21 inches), the highest reading. Sorada in Ganjam received 503 millimeters (20 inches), and Mahendragarh in Gajapati recorded 458 millimeters (18 inches). Other readings included G.Udaygiri in Kandhamal with 462 millimeters (18 inches), Sanakhemundi in Ganjam with 388 millimeters (15 inches), and Chikiti in Ganjam with 309 millimeters (12 inches). Separate reports stated that Gajapati district recorded 25 centimeters (9.8 inches), with Mahendragarh measuring 249.9 millimeters (9.8 inches).

The Bahuda river flooded Ichchapuram. The Rushikulya river rose above the danger mark. The Nagavali river at Srikakulam stood 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) below its warning level and was still rising. The Baghalati dam on the Bahuda rose past its danger mark after 550 millimeters (21.7 inches) of rain in Ganjam district. Water released from the Baghalati dam in Patrapur flooded Ichchapuram and nearby villages on the Andhra Pradesh side of the border.

Heavy rain and strong winds caused waterlogging and blocked roads across coastal Andhra Pradesh. Nearly 6,000 electricity poles were uprooted in Konaseema district. In West Godavari district alone, 3,700 power poles were uprooted. The Uppada coastal road in Kakinada was washed away. Hundreds of trees were uprooted in Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Konaseema, and Yanam. A section of National Highway 326 linking Ganjam with Mohana was washed away. Heavy rainfall triggered a landslide at Taptapani Ghat near Mohana on the Gajapati-Ganjam border, and soil and boulders blocked the roadway. A fallen tree also blocked National Highway 326 in Gajapati, affecting travel between Mohana and Paralakhemundi. Six fishing boats were sunk or damaged at Visakhapatnam harbour. Twenty fishermen were reported missing after setting out for deep-sea crab fishing from Kendrapara; five were traced near the Madeli river mouth. The Indian Coast Guard airlifted 13 crew members from the Sigma Pearl, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier stranded off Antarvedi. Seven crew members remained on the ship. The 180-meter (591-foot) vessel had left Visakhapatnam for Singapore.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the cyclone caused at least 4,600 crore rupees in losses to the state. The state's electricity infrastructure suffered at least 500 crore rupees in damage.

Authorities shifted 3,100 pregnant women to hospitals in Andhra Pradesh. Of those, 367 babies were born. The health department had identified 4,228 pregnant women for possible relocation. Odisha evacuated more than 30,000 people from vulnerable low-lying and landslide-prone areas. Malkangiri district was expected to be among the worst affected. Authorities evacuated more than 4,000 people in Malkangiri and placed them in 90 temporary shelters. Plans were in place to evacuate 48,010 people across eight districts in the first phase. About 300 villages in Ganjam district were cut off, and around 2,000 people were marooned by floodwater. More than 200 villages in 22 blocks of Ganjam and Gajapati districts were badly hit. The state planned to airlift about 100 villagers from Sanakhemundi, Asika, and the Gopalpur area.

Andhra Pradesh closed schools in 10 districts and converted 609 schools into relief centres housing 854 people. The state identified 2,199 cyclone shelters and assigned 12 NDRF and 10 SDRF teams to 14 districts. Officials prepared 8,281 emergency beds, 1,274 ambulances, drinking water tankers, generators, and water purification plants. The chief minister directed officials to clear blocked roads and restore electricity and medical services. At least 554 people stayed at 15 relief centers in Visakhapatnam district, including 260 in Pendurthi.

Odisha deployed 294 rescue teams across potentially affected areas and readied more than 2,000 shelters. Schools and Anganwadi centres in four districts closed, and educational institutions in Cuttack and Khordha remained shut. Separately, reports stated that schools and anganwadis in 16 districts remained closed. The Odisha Public Service Commission rescheduled Civil Services Main examination papers.

Fire and disaster response teams in Andhra Pradesh cleared more than 10,000 fallen trees across 14 districts. They used 23 inflatable rubber boats, nine rescue tenders, and 21 quick response vehicles. Equipment included 1,328 life jackets, 853 life buoys, 76 advanced search and rescue lights, and 120 power saws.

Over 50 trains were cancelled. The South Coast Railway cancelled 12 trains, while 21 services were cancelled in Odisha with two short-terminated at Rayagada. Nine trains were cancelled and 14 were diverted on the Howrah-Chennai route. A submerged railway bridge between Ichchapuram and Jhadupudi halted trains. Multiple flights to and from Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Kolkata were cancelled or delayed. The Civil Aviation Ministry held a review meeting to assess aviation safety and operational readiness. Fishing and ferry services were halted, and fishermen were told not to venture into the sea. A flash flood alert was issued for 15 districts in Andhra Pradesh. A storm surge of 1 meter (3 feet) to 1.5 meters (5 feet) was expected to inundate low-lying areas before subsiding. A number two warning signal remained at Paradip Port. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation ordered the immediate removal of hoardings and banners. Residents in Pentha village reported that their cyclone shelter lacked power and water.

Farmers in Chitrakonda harvested paddy early due to the threat of heavy rain. The Nandankanan Zoological Park and State Botanical Garden prepared emergency plans for animals. The Kendrapara Community Health Centre made arrangements for pregnant women. A study found that 26,919 towers in Odisha are exposed to hazards including cyclones, floods, and storm surges, and that 57 percent of the state's telecom towers face high or very high cyclone risk.

The Odisha government warned of legal action against those spreading fake cyclone forecasts and misleading alerts on social media.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Puducherry and assured them of all assistance. National and state disaster response teams were on the ground. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu spoke by telephone with Union Minister Amit Shah and briefed him on the devastation across the state. Naidu requested central aid and said a central team would visit the state. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said 17 districts had been affected by heavy rainfall triggered by the cyclone. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged governments to ensure swift relief and rehabilitation for affected families. Telangana offered personnel and materials to help restore power in Andhra Pradesh. Thunderstorms were forecast for 12 Telangana districts.

Andhra Pradesh postponed MPTC and ZPTC polling. Civic body polling dates were not changed. Educational institutions in Visakhapatnam were closed.

Rain spread to West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh. In Jharkhand, six districts were under an orange alert. Gudabanda in East Singhbhum recorded 71.4 millimeters (2.8 inches) of rain. Manjhari in West Singhbhum recorded 64 millimeters (2.5 inches). Ranchi recorded 26.2 millimeters (1 inch). Chaibasa recorded 60 millimeters (2.4 inches). The Jharkhand government ordered field surveys to assess crop damage and directed officials to provide compensation to farmers.

In eastern Madhya Pradesh, nine districts could receive heavy to very heavy rain with winds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour (25 to 31 miles per hour). The affected districts include Sidhi, Singrauli, Rewa, Mauganj, Satna, Maihar, Shahdol, Umaria, and Anuppur.

Widespread rainfall affected north Andhra Pradesh, Northeast Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal. Extremely heavy rainfall of 21 centimeters (8 inches) or more occurred at isolated places over South Odisha and North Andhra Pradesh. Heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred at isolated places over North Odisha, and heavy rainfall occurred at isolated places over Northeast Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal. Extremely heavy rain was forecast for Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, and Nabarangpur districts, with winds of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour (37 to 43 miles per hour) gusting to 80 kilometers per hour (50 miles per hour).

The remnant of Cyclone Arnab moved inland and weakened. It was centered about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north-northwest of Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh, moving north at 18 kilometers per hour (11 miles per hour). It is expected to weaken further into a well-marked low-pressure area over north Chhattisgarh and northwest Odisha. A deep depression was expected to move towards Chhattisgarh, bringing intensified rainfall and strong winds to southern Odisha.

A new low-pressure area formed over the south Andaman Sea under the influence of a cyclonic circulation. India Meteorological Department officials said the system would most likely affect Andhra Pradesh. The system is likely to move west-northwest and become a well-marked low-pressure area over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It may then concentrate into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas. Officials are watching to see whether it intensifies further. Heavy rain is forecast at isolated places in coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Authorities in West Bengal prepared for rain and gusty winds in southern districts. The cyclone's effects were expected to continue inland toward Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. Rainfall readings exceeded 200 millimeters (8 inches) in parts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Anakapalle districts.

Original Sources: odishatv.in, aljazeera.com, thehindu.com, thehindu.com, thehindu.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, thehindu.com, theprint.in

Category: Disasters

Keywords: arnab, bapatla, bhubaneswar, chhattisgarh, cyclone, depression, gajapati, gusts, kendrapara, landfall, malkangiri, odisha, rainfall, thunderstorms, visakhapatnam

The article reports actions taken by authorities but does not give a normal reader clear steps to follow soon. Evacuations, shelter placements, school closures, exam rescheduling, train cancellations, and the removal of hoardings are all official responses. No evacuation routes, shelter addresses, emergency phone numbers, or safety checklists are provided. The warning about legal action against fake forecasts does not explain how a reader can verify a forecast or what to do upon seeing a misleading alert. Because the text describes what happened and what officials did without directing the public, it offers no action to take.

The information stays at a surface level. It lists wind speeds, rainfall amounts, and the number of cancelled trains without explaining how cyclones form, why landfall duration varies, what a deep depression means, or how storm surge risk is calculated. The statistic that 57 percent of telecom towers face high or very high cyclone risk appears without context about the study or what a reader should do with that information. The conflicting reports about landfall duration are noted but not explained. The article describes effects rather than teaching causes or systems.

Personal relevance is strongest for people in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, especially in southern and coastal districts. For readers outside those areas, the relevance is limited. Even within the affected region, the article does not connect the facts to personal decisions such as whether to leave home, how to protect property, or where to find help. A person in Bhubaneswar learns that roads were waterlogged and trees fell, but not how to avoid flooded routes or secure loose objects before a storm.

The article includes some public service elements such as rescue team deployment and shelter arrangements, but it does not provide emergency phone numbers, evacuation maps, safety checklists, or guidance on what to do during high winds or flooding. It recounts the storm's effects and official responses without giving the public tools to act responsibly. It exists mainly to report news rather than to protect or guide readers.

No practical advice is directed at the reader. The order to remove hoardings applies to a municipal corporation, not to a resident. The early harvest of paddy is a farmer's response, not a recommendation for others. The arrangements for pregnant women at a health centre are local preparations, not instructions for expectant mothers elsewhere. Because the guidance is aimed at officials and institutions, an ordinary reader cannot realistically follow it.

The article focuses on a single storm event and offers no lasting benefit. It does not help a person plan ahead for future cyclones, improve home safety, build an emergency kit, or understand insurance options. Once the storm passes, the details provide no framework for better preparation next time.

The report can create anxiety by describing missing fishermen, blocked roads, waterlogging, and high risk to telecom towers. It does not offer calm, clarity, or a constructive way to respond. A reader may feel worried about safety without knowing what practical steps to take. The mention of legal action against fake forecasts may add confusion about whom to trust.

The language is mostly standard news reporting rather than extreme clickbait. It does not overpromise or rely on shock to maintain attention. However, phrases like worst-hit districts and major disruption add drama without precise measurement.

The article misses chances to explain how to interpret cyclone warnings, what to include in an emergency kit, how to stay safe during high winds, or where to find official weather updates. It could have taught readers how to assess whether a forecast is reliable. Instead, it presents impacts and official actions without context. A reader can keep learning by comparing independent weather reports from multiple sources, looking at historical patterns of cyclones in the region, and applying general safety practices such as avoiding travel during severe weather and keeping emergency supplies ready.

Before a storm, identify the safest room in your home, preferably an interior space away from windows. Secure loose outdoor objects that could become projectiles in high winds. Keep flashlights, batteries, drinking water, non-perishable food, essential medicines, and important documents in one accessible place. Charge phones and power banks ahead of time. If authorities advise evacuation, follow official routes and do not wait until conditions worsen. During high winds, stay indoors and avoid driving through flooded roads because water depth can be deceptive and vehicles can be swept away. After a storm, check for structural damage before reentering buildings, avoid downed power lines, and use generators only outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. To evaluate information during a disaster, compare updates from official meteorological departments with trusted local news sources rather than relying on unverified social media posts. Make a simple contact plan with family members so everyone knows where to meet or how to check in if phone networks fail. These steps are based on general safety principles and can be applied to many severe weather situations.

The text calls Ganjam one of the worst-hit districts. The words "worst-hit" judge the damage without saying how it is measured. No data compares Ganjam to other places. This phrase leads the reader to see Ganjam as more damaged than the rest.

It says transportation faced major disruption. The words "major disruption" sound serious but give no clear size. They push the idea that transport problems were large before the facts appear. This word choice shapes how the reader feels about the impact.

A government warning about "fake cyclone forecasts" appears in the text. It treats the existence of false alerts as true without showing proof. No one who spread alerts is quoted or named. This accepts the official claim without question and helps the government.

The text says "Different reports gave different durations for the landfall process." Some say two hours, others say nearly six hours. The text does not say which report is right. This leaves a basic fact unclear and shows the reports disagree.

A deep depression is said to be expected to move towards Chhattisgarh. The words "was expected to" present a guess about the future as part of the news. No source is named for this expectation. This leads the reader to believe the storm will go that way.

Gajapati is named the district with the "highest rainfall" while Mahendragarh gets nearly the same amount. The difference is only zero point one millimeter. This makes a tiny gap look like a clear win. It uses numbers to rank districts when the gap is too small to matter.

Fear is present in the descriptions of the storm's power. Words such as severe, maximum sustained wind speeds of 125 to 135 kilometers per hour, and gusts reaching 150 kilometers per hour create a sense of danger. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning add to the feeling that the weather is threatening. This emotion is strongest in the opening sentences where the storm is introduced. It is strong because it describes physical harm to people and property. The purpose is to warn the reader that the cyclone is a serious threat. This guides the reader toward worry and encourages attention to safety information.

Sadness and concern show up in the reports about people and animals. Twenty fishermen are reported missing after going out for deep-sea crab fishing, and only five were traced near the Madeli river mouth. Uprooted trees blocked roads and stranded vehicles. Residents in Pentha village said their cyclone shelter lacked power and water. These details create sympathy for those who are suffering or in danger. The emotion is moderate because it focuses on specific individuals and small groups rather than the whole region. The purpose is to make the reader care about the human cost of the storm. This guides the reader toward feeling concern for vulnerable people.

Urgency and official reassurance appear together in the government response. More than 4,000 people were evacuated in Malkangiri and placed in 90 temporary shelters. The state deployed 294 rescue teams. Plans existed to evacuate 48,010 people across eight districts. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation ordered the immediate removal of hoardings and banners. The Civil Aviation Ministry held a review meeting. These actions show that authorities are responding, but the scale of the numbers also suggests the danger is large. The emotion is moderate to high because it mixes the need for fast action with the presence of help. The purpose is to build trust in official agencies while keeping the reader alert. This guides the reader to feel that the situation is under control but still serious.

Frustration and inconvenience appear in the description of daily life disruptions. Schools and Anganwadi centres closed in four districts. Educational institutions in Cuttack and Khordha remained shut. The Odisha Public Service Commission rescheduled examination papers. Over 50 trains were cancelled, and flight services were affected. A fallen tree blocked National Highway 326. Words such as major disruption, blocked, stranded, and cancelled create a sense that normal life has stopped. The emotion is moderate because it describes inconvenience rather than injury. The purpose is to show how widely the storm affects ordinary activities. This guides the reader to understand that the cyclone has broad social and economic effects.

The writer uses several techniques to increase emotional impact. Specific numbers such as 125 to 135 kilometers per hour, 25 centimeters of rain, 4,000 people, and 294 rescue teams make the text sound precise and serious. The phrase worst-hit districts labels Ganjam as especially damaged without providing comparative data, which leads the reader to assume greater harm there. The phrase major disruption sounds serious without defining its size. The warning about fake cyclone forecasts steers trust toward the government and away from social media. The contrast between twenty missing fishermen and five traced offers a small moment of relief before returning to worry. The detail about the shelter lacking power and water suggests neglect, which creates mild criticism of local preparations. These tools steer attention toward official sources and away from unverified information.

The combined emotions create a message that the cyclone is dangerous, widespread, and being managed by authorities. Fear and urgency push the reader to take the storm seriously. Sadness and concern build sympathy for victims. Reassurance about rescue teams and shelters builds confidence in the government response. The warning about fake forecasts discourages reliance on unofficial social media posts. Overall, the emotional language guides the reader to feel worried but informed, sympathetic toward those affected, and inclined to trust official warnings over rumors. The text does not inspire excitement or pride, nor does it express anger directly, though the shelter complaint carries a hint of dissatisfaction.