ANDHRA Pradesh and Odisha have stepped up preparations, including moving people to safer locations, as “very severe” cyclonic storm Arnab hurtles towards the east coast and is expected to make landfall within the next 24 hours, officials said on Tuesday. In its latest bulletin, the India Meteorological Department said the cyclone was over the Bay of Bengal, about 170 km southsoutheast of Visakhapatnam, at 11.30 am. It is likely to move westnorthwestward until evening, before crossing the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close toYanam, by Wednesday forenoon. The system is expected to make landfall with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125- 135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph, the agency said. Andhra Pradesh has been placed on high alert, with evacuations planned and precautionary measures underway to prevent loss of life and property, officials said.

 

According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), the cyclone’s impact is being felt, with heavy rainfall expected in the north coastal districts shortly. Srikakulam district is likely to experience heavy rain accompanied by strong winds, while strong winds have already begun in Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. Under the impact of the weather system, heavy rain, accompanied by strong winds, lashed parts of Odisha, where the Government aims to move around 48,000 people to safer locations. Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh P Patil said around 11,000 people each would be shifted to safer locations in Gajapati and Nabarangpur districts. Evacuation drives were also underway in Malkangiri, Ganjam, Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi and Nuapada, he said. Schools in eight districts have been ordered to remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday