Cyclone Arnab Intensifies Over Bay of Bengal

Cyclonic Storm Arnab, pronounced “Ornab,” was positioned over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal at 8:30 AM IST on October 26, 2026, according to the supplied bulletin. The storm had moved westward at around 15 kmph over the preceding six hours and was centred near latitude 15.4°N and longitude 88.5°E. It was located approximately 610 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 690 km east-southeast of Kakinada, with Gopalpur in Odisha about 580 km to its northwest. The bulletin forecast that Arnab would move west-northwestward and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight on October 26, potentially becoming a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27.

The storm was then forecast to move northwestward and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts near Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, by the forenoon of October 28. At landfall, it could bring sustained winds of 115–125 kmph, with gusts reaching 140 kmph. The bulletin issued a red-level cyclone warning for the Andhra Pradesh coast and adjoining parts of south Odisha. Residents in potentially affected areas should follow the latest advisories issued by the India Meteorological Department and local authorities, and comply with evacuation or safety instructions where directed.