Cyclone Arnab likely to intensify into very severe storm, cross Andhra coast on Oct 28

CHENNAI: A deep depression over the East Central and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal has moved southeastward at 5 kmph, centring 880 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Moving west-northwestward, it is forecast to intensify into Cyclone Arnab over the East Central and West Central Bay of Bengal by Monday morning (October 26).

By Tuesday, it is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm. As it approaches the Andhra Pradesh coastline on October 28, it may intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm. The system originated as a well-marked low-pressure area on October 24 before concentrating into a depression.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) projects the cyclone to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28, packing sustained winds of 115–125 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 140 kmph.

A separate low-pressure area originally over the Southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep now rests over the Southeast Arabian Sea off the Kerala coast. The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 3.1 km above mean sea level.

On Monday, heavy to very heavy rain was predicted in Pudukkottai, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram districts. Heavy rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph is likely across Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Karur, Tiruchy, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam.

On Tuesday, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are likely at isolated places in Ramanathapuram district. Moderate rainfall with thunderstorm activity is expected across the remaining parts of south Tamil Nadu and the Western Ghats districts. Light rain at a few places, with thunderstorms and lightning at one or two places, is likely to occur over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the Karaikal areas.

Light to moderate rainfall is expected at isolated places across the Western Ghats districts on October 29 and 30.