Cyclone Arnab strengthened over the Bay of Bengal on Monday, prompting the Centre and state governments to intensify emergency preparations ahead of its expected landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry have been placed on alert as authorities prepare for destructive winds, heavy rainfall and possible flooding.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its evening bulletin, classified Arnab as a severe cyclonic storm and forecast that it could intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours.

The system was located approximately 490 km from Visakhapatnam, 560 km from Kakinada and 730 km from Bapatla, moving westwards at around 17 kmph, the weather department said.

Arnab, a Bengali word meaning ocean or sea, was named by Bangladesh. The cyclone is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam, by Tuesday forenoon. Sustained wind speeds could reach 115–125 kmph, with gusts of up to 140 kmph.

The approaching storm has already disrupted transport services, with 53 trains cancelled for October 27 and 28. Disaster response teams, armed forces and coastal authorities have been placed on standby, while fishermen have been advised to remain ashore.

Centre coordinates emergency response

Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on Monday to review preparations and coordinate relief operations.

Officials were directed to prioritise public safety, limit damage to property and ensure that essential services remain operational. They were also instructed to restore disrupted services promptly if the cyclone causes widespread damage.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have deployed teams in vulnerable areas, with additional personnel kept ready for mobilisation. The Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard have also prepared rescue and relief teams for possible emergency operations.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and IMD are monitoring the storm and coordinating with the affected states. Authorities in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh have also been asked to remain alert because of the forecast of heavy rainfall.

Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea from October 26 to October 29.

Andhra Pradesh prepares coastal districts for landfall

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has instructed officials to maintain round-the-clock surveillance, establish district-level control rooms and issue frequent warnings to residents in coastal areas.

Fishing boats have been asked to return to shore. The state government is also arranging to move pregnant women whose delivery dates are approaching to hospitals ahead of the storm.

Ten NDRF teams have been positioned in the state, while another 16 teams are on standby across the country. Visakhapatnam district authorities have mobilised rescue personnel and alerted the Navy and Coast Guard.

Preparations have also been made to deal with damage to the electricity network. The state Energy Department has stockpiled 25,000 electric poles and other essential materials to facilitate repairs if power infrastructure is affected.

Odisha identifies six vulnerable districts

Odisha has stepped up precautions in six southern districts considered particularly vulnerable: Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assigned eight ministers to oversee preparedness. NDRF personnel, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), fire services and police teams have been positioned in vulnerable locations.

The state has prohibited fishing and restricted tourist access to hills, waterfalls and dams in the six districts as a precaution against dangerous weather conditions.

Train services disrupted, railway emergency rooms activated

The approaching cyclone has led to the cancellation of 53 trains scheduled to operate on October 27 and 28. The affected services cover several routes in Andhra Pradesh, including connections involving Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Machilipatnam, Narasapur, Bhimavaram, Kakinada Port, Guntur and Visakhapatnam.

Some services have been cancelled on both days, while others will not operate on either Tuesday or Wednesday.

South Coast Railway has intensified its preparations, with General Manager Sandeep Mathur reviewing safety arrangements and emergency response plans across the zone.

Round-the-clock control rooms have been established at zonal and divisional headquarters. Railway personnel are monitoring vulnerable bridges, tracks, yards and signalling systems, with patrolmen and watchmen deployed at sensitive locations.

Passenger support measures include help desks at major stations and additional counters to process refunds for cancelled tickets. Medical teams, ambulances and first-aid facilities have been placed on standby, while catering units have been asked to maintain sufficient food supplies.

Railway crews are also ready to operate special trains if required, the railway said.

Rain forecast extends beyond the eastern coast

The cyclone's influence is expected to extend well beyond Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, with several states forecast to receive heavy rainfall over the coming days.

In West Bengal, the IMD has forecast heavy rain between October 28 and 30 in South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia.

The sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri could experience heavy rainfall on October 29 and 30. A landslide warning has also been issued for Darjeeling.

Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly and other districts in south Bengal are likely to receive light to moderate rain. Fishermen along the West Bengal coast have been advised to stay away from the sea from October 26, as squally winds of 35–45 kmph, with gusts up to 55 kmph, are expected.

The IMD has also warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Telangana and Chhattisgarh. Jharkhand, Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha and eastern Madhya Pradesh may receive heavy rain, while the Andaman Islands are likely to experience rainfall on October 26 and 27.

Ports placed on alert as winds intensify

Cyclone warning signals have been raised at nine ports across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as the system develops over the Bay of Bengal.

The ports include Chennai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Karaikal, Pamban and Thoothukudi. The warnings require port authorities, vessel operators and maritime agencies to remain vigilant as conditions change.

With the storm forecast to intensify before reaching the coast, authorities are continuing to coordinate evacuation readiness, transport safety and emergency services. The priority remains to minimise casualties, protect vulnerable communities and restore essential services quickly if the cyclone causes disruption.