Orgy of Cyclone ‘Arnab’: Storm will increase at speed of 140 km/hour, red alert in 5 states including Andhra-Odisha

Cyclone Arnab, which arose in the Bay of Bengal, has become increasingly active and has taken the form of a ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), this cyclonic system is centered over west-central Bay of Bengal and is continuously moving in the north-west direction. Meteorologists predict that the storm will make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam (near Yanam) in Andhra Pradesh with sustained winds of 115 to 125 km per hour and gusting winds of up to 140 km per hour. Due to the impact of this severe system, storm waves several meters high have started rising in the sea, due to which high alert has been declared in the coastal areas. Keeping security in mind, fishermen have been given strict instructions not to venture into the sea and several teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF have already been deployed in sensitive districts.

The Meteorological Department has clarified that the impact of Cyclone Arnab will not be limited to the coastal areas only, but as this system enters the land areas, the weather pattern will completely deteriorate in at least five big states of the country.

• 1. Andhra Pradesh: Due to the epicenter of the storm, a red alert has been issued for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Bapatla and Kakinada districts of the state. Here, there is a possibility of huge damage to mud houses, trees and electric poles due to storm winds of 70 to 140 km per hour.

• 2. Odisha: A warning of torrential rain and gale speed of 50 to 60 km per hour has been issued in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam districts of southern Odisha. The administration has prepared relief camps to deal with the situation of waterlogging and flash floods in low-lying areas.

• 3. West Bengal: The Ganga coastal districts like South 24 Parganas, East Medinipur, Howrah and Kolkata are covered with dense dark clouds and heavy rains accompanied by strong winds are expected. Along with this, there are chances of moderate to heavy rainfall in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal also.

• 4. Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand: After the storm enters the interior, heavy rains will be recorded in northern Chhattisgarh and adjoining Jharkhand areas, which may lead to a sudden rise in the water level of rivers.

• 5. Telangana: Yellow and orange alert has been imposed in many districts of Eastern Telangana for heavy showers and thunderstorms.

There will be a major change in the weather of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh due to the progress of the cyclonic system and heavy moisture being pulled towards North India along with easterly winds.

• Condition of Bihar: According to Meteorological Center Patna, due to the impact of the cyclone, the movement of dense clouds has increased across Bihar. There is a possibility of strong winds with a speed of 40 to 50 km per hour and moderate to heavy rain, especially in Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui, Purnia, Katihar and Patna of South and East Bihar. Due to the drop in temperature, there are chances of the weather becoming cool.

• Uttar Pradesh (Awadh to Purvanchal): The moist clouds of Cyclone Arnab will directly affect the eastern and Terai belts of Uttar Pradesh. An alert of heavy to very heavy rain has been issued in Gorakhpur, Deoria, Ballia, Varanasi, Prayagraj and surrounding Purvanchal districts. Whereas in the capital Lucknow, Kanpur and Awadh region, due to gusty winds blowing at the speed of 30 to 50 km per hour and light to moderate rain, the day temperature may drop by 5 to 8 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Department and State Disaster Management Authorities have issued guidelines for the general public.

• Protection of crops standing in the fields: At present, harvesting of Kharif crops and sowing of Rabi crops is going on. Farmers have been advised to remove the harvested paddy crop from open fields and keep it in safe places or warehouses, so that the crops are not damaged by rain and strong storm.

• Distance from electricity and poles: Avoid standing under old dilapidated trees, hoardings and electrical transformers during thunderstorms.

• Emergency Preparedness: Residents of coastal and potentially waterlogged areas should keep their mobile phones, power banks, torches and essential medicines stock ready in advance. In case of any emergency, contact the helpline numbers issued by the local administration and rely only on official weather bulletins.