Cyclonic Storm Arnab LIVE Tracker, Updates & Forecast: Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Makes Landfall Near Yanam-Kakinada; Heavy Rains, Strong Winds Batter Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
New Delhi / Visakhapatnam, October 28, 2026
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab (pronounced “Ornab”) has begun its landfall process along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts in the early hours of Wednesday, packing sustained winds of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the system’s outer spiral bands and centre are interacting with the coastline near Yanam, close to Kakinada, with the full landfall process expected to continue for several hours.
Formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal on October 26 from a deep depression, Arnab rapidly intensified into a cyclonic storm, then a severe cyclonic storm, and finally a very severe cyclonic storm. It tracked west-northwestwards across the Bay before turning towards the coast. Earlier forecasts pointed to landfall by forenoon on October 28 between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam; faster movement advanced the timeline to roughly 2–4 a.m. IST.
Live Track and Current Position
For real-time satellite imagery, track, intensity, and forecast cone, follow the live tracker here: https://zoom.earth/storms/arnab-2026/. Official IMD bulletins and updates are available on the India Meteorological Department website and its official X handle (@Indiametdept). Additional trackers include Weather Underground and other meteorological platforms monitoring the North Indian Ocean basin.
As of the latest available IMD and supporting observations late on October 27 into early October 28, Arnab was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal off the Andhra Pradesh coast (near approximately 16.3–16.4°N, 81.6–82.7°E in successive bulletins), only tens of kilometres from the coastline near Narsapur, Yanam, and Kakinada. Movement was generally west-northwestwards at 18–22 kmph before slowing near landfall.
The system showed rapid intensification over warm Bay of Bengal waters, reaching very severe status with peak winds temporarily higher in some international estimates before moderating slightly on approach.
After landfall, Arnab is forecast to continue northwestwards or northwards inland, weakening rapidly over land into a cyclonic storm, then a deep depression and depression while bringing heavy rain to interior Andhra Pradesh, southern Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and potentially farther north into parts of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and eastern Uttar Pradesh over the following 24–48 hours. Dissipation is expected within about 36 hours as it moves inland.
Intensity, Storm Surge and Rainfall Forecast
At landfall, maximum sustained winds are placed at 125–135 kmph with gusts to 150 kmph (earlier forecasts had 115–125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph; some model and satellite estimates indicated even stronger peaks offshore). A storm surge of 1–2.5 metres above astronomical tide is expected to inundate low-lying coastal areas, with the highest surge likely near East Godavari (Kakinada) and Yanam. Sea conditions have been very rough to high, with fishermen already warned and fishing banned in affected zones.
Extremely heavy rainfall (≥21 cm) is likely at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on October 27–28, with heavy to very heavy rain (7–20 cm) at many places. Similar heavy rain is forecast over southern Odisha on October 28, parts of eastern Telangana, southern and central Chhattisgarh on October 28–29, and isolated heavy rain farther inland.
Northern Andhra districts including Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema, East and West Godavari, Krishna and Bapatla have already recorded very heavy falls, with some locations exceeding 100–140 mm in shorter periods. Rough seas, high waves and coastal flooding have been reported along the Visakhapatnam and Kakinada coasts.
Impact, Preparedness and Response
Andhra Pradesh has evacuated more than 84,000 people to around 290 cyclone shelters, with thousands more moved from low-lying and vulnerable coastal areas. The state government released funds for relief, deployed NDRF and SDRF teams, and set up extensive shelters across multiple districts.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed preparedness and stressed zero-casualty goals. Schools and colleges were closed in affected districts; beaches were shut; and fishing activities halted. One death was reported linked to snapped live electrical wires amid the storm’s approach.
Odisha has closed schools in southern districts, banned fishing and tourism activities in vulnerable zones, and mobilised ODRAF, NDRF and other rescue teams. Evacuations from low-lying areas are underway. South Coast Railway cancelled dozens of trains (reports cited 50–70+ services on October 27–28), while airports at Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada saw flight cancellations and diversions. The Navy and Coast Guard remain on high alert for search-and-rescue support.
Power outages, uprooted trees, waterlogging and disruption to road and rail connectivity are expected in the landfall zone and rain-affected interior districts. Authorities urge residents to stay indoors, avoid coastal areas and low-lying zones, follow official advisories, and not venture out during peak winds and surge.
Naming and Broader Context
The name “Arnab” was contributed by Bangladesh to the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones naming list for the North Indian Ocean; it means “sea” or “ocean” in Bengali. It is the first named cyclonic storm of the post-monsoon season over the Bay of Bengal in 2026.
The Bay’s warm waters, favourable atmospheric conditions and seasonal patterns allowed rapid intensification, a challenge for forecasts that meteorologists continue to study, including possible large-scale climate influences.
What to Expect Next
Over the next 12–24 hours the system will weaken as it moves inland, but residual heavy rainfall and strong winds will persist in the core impact zone before gradually easing. Downstream states should remain alert for rain-related flooding and landslides in hilly terrain.
Residents are advised to monitor official IMD bulletins, local disaster management authority messages, and the live trackers for the latest position and intensity updates.
Stay safe. Follow official sources only for warnings and relief information. For continuous live tracking of Cyclonic Storm Arnab’s path, satellite views and forecast, visit: https://zoom.earth/storms/arnab-2026/ and the IMD official channels.
(Article compiled from IMD bulletins, state government updates and meteorological reports as of early October 28, 2026. Situation is evolving; check live sources for the most current information.)
