Cyclone Arnab to cross Andhra coast by October 28; rains continue in Tamil Nadu | LIVE

Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari chairs a high-level meeting on preparedness for Cyclone Arnab, in Bhubaneswar on Sunday (October 25, 2026).

The coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are on high alert ahead of a severe cyclonic storm which is expected to make landfall on the morning of October 28, with winds of 115 kmph to 125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph. The IMD, in its latest bulletin, said a depression over the Bay of Bengal had moved southwestwards during the past six hours and intensified into a deep depression.

The system is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum wind speeds of 115-125 kmph. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday (October 26) directed officials to maintain round-the-clock vigilance and ensure comprehensive preparedness to minimise the impact of Cyclone Arnab and prevent loss of life.

Meanwhile, Rains continued to lash several parts of Tamil Nadu with the northeast monsoon keeping on with its active pace and the IMD said more showers are likely in the state till October 27.

Schools in Ramanathapuram district, four taluks in the Nilgiris district and Periyakulam block in Theni district will remain closed on Monday (October 26) following rainfall.

Ramanathapuram District Collector Sivaguru Prabhakar declared a holiday for schools across the district. In the Nilgiris, District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru announced a holiday for schools in Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Kundah taluks. Theni District Collector Sivakrishnamurthy also declared a holiday for schools in Periyakulam block.

The Odisha Government on Sunday (October 25) stepped up preparations, mobilising personnel and equipment, while Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi deputed eight ministers to vulnerable districts.

Mr. Majhi said although the system was forecast to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, the Odisha government would take no chances and remain fully prepared to deal with any eventuality.

He directed officials to prioritise public safety, evacuation and emergency response, reiterating the State’s zero-casualty objective.

The coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are on high alert ahead of a severe cyclonic storm which is expected to make landfall on the morning of October 28, with winds of 115 kmph to 125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph.

According to a bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department on Sunday (October 25, 2026) evening, “the depression over eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal moved southwestwards with speed of 5 kmph during past six hours, [and] intensified into a deep depression. It lay centered in the Bay, about 420 km north-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman Islands, and 870 km east-southeast of Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Cyclone expected to intensify into a very severe storm and cross Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on October 28, prompting evacuations and disaster preparations.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Pudukottai, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram districts on Monday.

Heavy rain is likely to occur over isolated places in Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Karur, Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam districts.

The remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are likely to witness moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning at many places. Several areas are likely to witness gusty winds during the thunderstorms, at speeds reaching 40 kmph to 50 kmph.

Forecasts predict moderate to heavy rainfall across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, with looming cyclonic storm impacts through Oct 28.

Coastal Andhra / Andhra Pradesh / Tamil Nadu / Odisha / West Bengal / cyclones / natural disasters / disaster management / Live news / weather / weather news / rains