Cyclone Arnab 2026: Five Deaths in Andhra Pradesh, Orange Alert in Odisha; Delhi-NCR and Eastern UP Brace for Rain
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
New Delhi, October 29, 2026: Cyclone Arnab, which struck India’s eastern coast on October 28, has weakened after bringing heavy rainfall, destructive winds and widespread disruption to parts of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha. The storm damaged power infrastructure, roads, homes and agricultural land, while its remnants continue to influence weather conditions across eastern and central India
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has reported five deaths linked to cyclone-related incidents and announced compensation of ₹5 lakh for each deceased person’s family. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast further rainfall across several states, including Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Delhi-NCR may also experience thunderstorms, gusty winds and isolated hailstorms.
The storm has weakened considerably since landfall, but authorities remain focused on restoring essential services, assessing damage and protecting vulnerable communities.
1. Cyclone Arnab Landfall: When and Where Did the Storm Strike?
Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast on the morning of October 28, 2026. According to the IMD, the storm made landfall as a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained winds of approximately 125–135 kmph and gusts reaching 150 kmph.
Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh experienced strong winds, intense rainfall and localised flooding. Trees and electricity poles were uprooted, roads were affected and agricultural areas suffered damage.
After crossing the coast, the system moved inland and gradually weakened. By the morning of October 29, its remnants had weakened into a depression over southern Chhattisgarh and adjoining southern Odisha. The IMD expected the system to weaken further into a well-marked low-pressure area later in the day.
Although the immediate threat from the intense coastal storm has diminished, rainfall associated with the system remains a concern across several states.
2. Death Toll: How Many People Have Lost Their Lives?
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reported five deaths associated with Cyclone Arnab and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for each deceased person’s family.
Cyclone-related fatalities have been associated with hazardous conditions involving falling trees and electricity infrastructure, including electrocution incidents.
However, the reported death toll has varied across media accounts. Some reports have cited different preliminary figures, making it important to distinguish the state government’s reported count from unverified or subsequently updated estimates.
More than 180,000 people were evacuated across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha before or during the cyclone response, according to published reports. Evacuations, relief shelters and emergency deployments were among the key measures intended to reduce casualties.
The final casualty figure may change as district administrations complete verification and damage assessments.
3. Andhra Pradesh: Extensive Damage to Power Infrastructure and Agriculture
Andhra Pradesh bore the brunt of the cyclone after it crossed the coast with destructive winds and heavy rainfall.
Preliminary assessments indicated:
- Around 15,000 electricity poles were uprooted across the state.
- Agricultural land and standing crops were affected across 14 districts.
- Roads, homes, trees and electricity infrastructure sustained damage.
- Heavy rainfall caused waterlogging in low-lying areas.
- Power disruptions affected several locations, although restoration work was under way.
The state government has directed officials to assess losses to crops and horticultural plantations. Field-level surveys are being conducted to establish the extent of damage and identify eligible beneficiaries for assistance.
The state is also coordinating with the Centre regarding damage assessments and additional support where necessary.
4. Odisha Orange Alert: Districts Under Close Watch
Odisha has remained on alert as the weakened storm system moves inland and brings heavy rainfall to parts of the state.
Published weather updates for October 29 reported orange alerts in nine districts:
- Sambalpur
- Jharsuguda
- Sundargarh
- Deogarh
- Subarnapur
- Boudh
- Kandhamal
- Gajapati
- Ganjam
Alert levels and validity periods may change with subsequent IMD bulletins. Southern districts, including Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Rayagada, have also faced concerns about heavy rainfall and possible landslides in vulnerable locations.
The Odisha government has directed officials to strengthen rescue and relief operations, maintain emergency readiness and prioritise the restoration of electricity, drinking water and communication services.
Authorities have also prepared shelters and arranged essential supplies for people in vulnerable areas.
5. Delhi-NCR Weather: Thunderstorms and Possible Hailstorms
The effects of the broader weather system are not limited to the eastern coast. The IMD’s October 29 forecast indicated the possibility of thunderstorms, gusty winds and isolated hailstorms across Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab.
Delhi-NCR could experience changing weather conditions, with rain affecting visibility and road traffic in some areas. Residents should follow the latest local forecast rather than assume that a particular colour-coded alert applies to the entire region.
People are advised to avoid standing beneath trees, electricity poles, billboards or weak structures during thunderstorms and strong winds.
6. Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Varanasi: Rain Warning
Eastern Uttar Pradesh is among the regions forecast to receive significant rainfall on October 29 and 30. Heavy to very heavy rain is possible at isolated locations, accompanied in some areas by thunderstorms and gusty winds.
Residents of Varanasi and other districts across Purvanchal should monitor district-level forecasts for updates on rainfall intensity and possible disruption.
Rainfall could lead to waterlogging, slippery roads and localised traffic problems. However, weather conditions can vary significantly between districts, and a forecast for eastern Uttar Pradesh should not automatically be interpreted as a uniform warning for the entire state.
For Varanasi, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Ballia and neighbouring areas, the latest local IMD forecast and district administration advisories are the most useful sources of information.
7. Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh: Heavy Rainfall Risk
The remnants of Cyclone Arnab and the associated moisture are expected to influence weather conditions across parts of eastern and central India.
Bihar: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is possible at isolated places on October 29. Rainfall activity may continue over parts of the state over the following days.
Jharkhand: Widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and isolated very heavy rainfall are possible. Strong winds may accompany thunderstorms in some locations.
Chhattisgarh: The weakened system moved across the southern part of the state and adjoining Odisha. Rainfall is forecast in several areas, with very heavy rain possible at isolated locations.
Eastern Madhya Pradesh: Some locations may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Localised flooding, rising water levels in rivers and drains, damage to standing crops and disruption to road traffic are among the potential risks that authorities may need to monitor.
8. West Bengal, Sikkim and Northeast India Weather Forecast
Parts of West Bengal and Sikkim are also expected to receive rainfall. Heavy rain in the sub-Himalayan region could affect road travel and vulnerable hill routes.
Across Northeast India, the forecast indicates isolated to scattered rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. Rainfall activity may increase in parts of Arunachal Pradesh over the coming days.
However, a uniform orange or red alert for all northeastern states has not been established by the information reviewed for this report. Residents should check state- and district-specific forecasts to determine the actual level of risk.
The possibility of rainfall does not, by itself, mean that every northeastern state faces a direct cyclone impact.
9. New Low-Pressure Area Forms Over the South Andaman Sea
Separately, a fresh low-pressure area formed over the South Andaman Sea and adjoining areas on October 29.
According to the IMD, the system is likely to become a well-marked low-pressure area over the South Andaman Sea and adjoining Andaman and Nicobar Islands within the next 24 hours. It may subsequently concentrate into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal and nearby areas during the following 24 hours.
This is a separate weather system from the weakening remnants of Cyclone Arnab.
Its future intensity, movement and potential impacts will depend on subsequent observations and forecasts. The formation of a low-pressure area does not automatically mean that another cyclone will develop or make landfall in a particular state.
10. Government Response: Rescue Operations and Relief Measures
Central and state authorities have continued rescue, relief and restoration operations following the cyclone.
Central government: Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Puducherry and Chhattisgarh and assured them of central assistance. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) have been involved in emergency operations. Inter-Ministerial Central Teams are also expected to assess the impact and the additional assistance required.
Andhra Pradesh government: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced ₹5 lakh in ex-gratia assistance for each deceased person’s family. The state is assessing crop losses and considering assistance for affected households, farmers, fishermen and other eligible groups.
Odisha government: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed officials to expedite rescue and relief operations and restore electricity, drinking water and communication services. ODRAF, NDRF and fire services have been kept on alert.
Agricultural assistance: Officials are conducting field surveys to assess crop and horticultural losses. The final amount and eligibility for compensation will depend on verified damage and the applicable government schemes.
At the time of writing, a single nationwide relief package covering every affected person had not been confirmed in the information reviewed. Announced state compensation, proposed assistance and any subsequently approved central support should therefore be treated as separate measures.
11. Train and Flight Disruptions
Adverse weather and safety concerns have affected some transport services during the cyclone response. Published reports indicate that certain trains were cancelled or rescheduled, while flight operations may also be affected by local weather conditions.
Passengers should check official railway enquiries, airline notifications and airport updates before travelling. Disruptions may vary by route, time and location, so it would be inaccurate to assume that all trains or flights have been cancelled.
12. Safety Advisory: What Should Residents Do?
Residents in areas expecting heavy rain, thunderstorms or strong winds should take the following precautions:
- Follow official IMD forecasts and district administration advisories.
- Stay away from trees, electricity poles, billboards and weak structures during strong winds.
- Avoid open areas, water bodies and tall trees during lightning.
- Do not walk or drive through flooded roads or fast-flowing drains.
- Coastal residents and fishermen should follow local restrictions and marine weather warnings.
- Keep mobile phones charged and maintain supplies of drinking water, essential medicines and emergency contacts.
- Verify weather updates through official sources before sharing them.
Conclusion: Cyclone Weakens, but Rainfall Threat Continues
Cyclone Arnab has weakened after making landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast, but its effects continue to influence weather conditions across eastern and central India.
Andhra Pradesh is assessing damage to homes, electricity infrastructure and agricultural land, while Odisha and several inland states remain alert to heavy rainfall. Delhi-NCR and eastern Uttar Pradesh may also experience unsettled weather, including thunderstorms and gusty winds.
Meanwhile, the new low-pressure area over the south Andaman Sea is being monitored separately by the IMD.
The immediate priorities remain the restoration of essential services, relief for affected families, agricultural damage assessments and timely public warnings. Residents should continue to follow local weather advisories as the situation develops.
Disclaimer: This report is based on weather bulletins and government statements available on October 29, 2026. Casualty figures, district alerts, damage estimates and relief announcements may change as authorities publish updated information.
