Cyclone Arnab Hits Southern India, Causing Three Deaths and Extensive Damage

Three people have died as Cyclone Arnab struck the southeastern coast of India, particularly affecting Andhra Pradesh. The storm made landfall on Wednesday, October 27, 2026, with winds reaching up to 135 kilometers per hour (about 84 miles per hour) and heavy rain.

Officials reported that the cyclone caused severe weather conditions, including torrential rain that measured up to 30 centimeters (nearly 12 inches) in some areas. As the storm weakened into a less severe system throughout the day, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) confirmed the fatalities and noted that 31 homes were damaged.

In response to the storm, around 50,000 people in Andhra Pradesh and 48,000 in neighboring Odisha were evacuated to safer locations. Many residents expressed concerns about flooding, with one woman, Rajeshwari, stating that her home was flooded, forcing her to seek shelter.

In Kakinada, a city close to where the storm hit hardest, residents faced flooded streets but reported limited damage. Emergency crews worked to clear fallen trees and debris from roads. Some locals felt grateful that the impact was not as severe as it could have been, thanks to early warnings from authorities.

Cyclones are common in the Bay of Bengal and northern Indian Ocean, and this storm season has been intensified by the El Nino weather pattern, which has led to unusual warming. Warnings were also issued in neighboring countries, including Sri Lanka and Nepal, where heavy rainfall and potential snowstorms were anticipated.