Cyclone Arnab starts landfall process along Andhra Pradesh coast, triggers heavy rain and strong winds

Authorities remain on high alert as rescue and relief teams continue to take precautionary measures to minimise the impact of the severe cyclonic storm.

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Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday around 1:20am, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to several areas.

Authorities remain on high alert as rescue and relief teams continue to monitor the situation and take precautionary measures to minimise the impact of the severe cyclonic storm.

Andhra Pradesh and Odisha had stepped up preparations on Tuesday ahead of the expected landfall of very severe cyclonic storm Arnab, with thousands of people moved to safety, nearly 4,000 cyclone shelters readied and at least 50 trains cancelled across the region.

Air travel impacted

Air travel was also affected, with at least 21 flights cancelled at Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam airports on Tuesday. The cancellations affected services to Chennai, Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam and Kadapa. An official said 15 flights scheduled to operate from Vijayawada airport on Wednesday had also been cancelled.

Andhra Pradesh ensures preparedness

The Andhra Pradesh government had arranged 2,131 cyclone shelters across 20 districts and placed 1,087 medical teams on standby in areas likely to be affected. Officials said 8,281 emergency beds and 1,274 ambulances had also been made available.

Authorities had moved people out of vulnerable areas and shifted 1,351 pregnant women to hospitals. The government had stocked two months' worth of essential commodities at 14,686 ration shops, while cyclone alerts had been sent to the mobile phones of 2.70 crore people.

Railways monitored 600 km of tracks, cancelled services

The South Coast Railway had cancelled 24 trains scheduled for Wednesday, while the East Coast Railway had cancelled 22. The South Eastern Railway had also cancelled four trains, officials said.

IMD director general Mrunjay Mohapatra had warned of potentially damaging winds along the coast.

Odisha had moved over 30,000 people to cyclone shelters

Odisha had intensified its preparations, with heavy rain already reported in parts of the state. Schools had been closed in 16 of its 30 districts, while more than 30,000 people had been moved to cyclone shelters against a target of 48,000, a revenue department official said. Entry to sea beaches had been prohibited.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh P Patil said 135 permanent cyclone shelters and around 1,600 temporary shelters had been prepared to accommodate people from vulnerable areas.

Jharkhand had shut schools, issued yellow alert

In neighbouring Jharkhand, the Ranchi district administration had ordered schools to remain closed on October 28 and 29 as authorities prepared for adverse weather.

A yellow alert for heavy rain had been issued for Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Saraikela-Kharsawan, East Singhbhum and West Singhbhum for 24 hours from 8.30 am on October 28.

(With inputs from agencies)

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