Odisha Braces for Cyclone Arnab, Targets Zero Casualties

Odisha is preparing for the impact of Cyclone Arnab, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting its intensification into a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by October 26. The system is projected to move towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, reaching the region by the morning of October 28. In response, the state government has heightened preparedness measures, aiming for zero casualties.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Saturday that the state government had reviewed the cyclone's potential impact and assigned specific responsibilities to various departments to ensure readiness. Majhi stated, "According to the Meteorological Department, the cyclone is expected to make landfall on the afternoon of 28 October somewhere between northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha. We have received reports indicating that this will lead to heavy rainfall across various districts in these states... As always, our primary objective remains the same: Zero casualties."

The IMD reported that a well-marked low-pressure area over the central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal intensified as of 8:30 am on Saturday. This system is expected to persist in the same region, intensify into a depression on October 24, and further strengthen into a deep depression on October 25. Moving west-northwestwards, it is anticipated to become a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26.

IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty confirmed that the system would continue its west-northwestward movement, reaching the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast around the morning of October 28, 2026. Mohanty added, "Because of which Odisha is likely to be impacted by rainfall as well as wind activity... The sea conditions are very likely to be very rough." The weather department has issued warnings for heavy rainfall in parts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh as the system approaches.

The Odisha government has reviewed its response mechanisms and allocated responsibilities to different departments to ensure coordinated action. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon has been vigorous over Tamil Nadu in the past 24 hours, with light rainfall across most of the state, Puducherry, and Karaikal. Heavy rainfall in Tiruchirappalli resulted in flooding on roads, low-lying areas, a government office, and a railway subway, causing significant inconvenience.

What to watch: Monitoring the cyclone's trajectory and the effectiveness of preparedness measures.

Editor's note: The report accurately synthesizes the meteorological data and government response, covering all essential details from the source text.