Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab made landfall near Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh early Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department confirmed. The system, classified as very severe, crossed the coast amid sustained winds exceeding 120 kilometres per hour, bringing immediate disruption to coastal communities. Landfall occurred within the predicted window of 2am to 4am, as forecast by regional meteorological centres. Emergency response teams have been deployed across affected districts as the storm moves inland.
Coastal districts, including Visakhapatnam, have borne the brunt of Arnab's outer bands, with reports of waterlogging, uprooted trees and intermittent power outages. Heavy rainfall, exceeding 150 millimetres in some pockets, has triggered flash flood fears in low-lying areas. District magistrates have issued immediate advisories urging residents to remain indoors and avoid coastal roads. Relief camps are being set up in evacuation centres as the system gradually weakens but continues to dump rain across the region.
In response to the escalating situation, the Ministry of Civil Aviation suspended all commercial operations at three Andhra Pradesh airports Vijayawada Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry effective immediately. The suspension aimed at ensuring passenger safety and preventing aircraft exposure to severe wind shear will remain in place until weather conditions normalize. Aviation officials said flight operations would be reassessed every six hours as the cyclone progresses. International and domestic carriers have been notified to rebook affected passengers on alternative routes.
The cyclone is expected to track northwestward weakening gradually as it moves deeper into interior Andhra and toward Odisha and Chhattisgarh by Thursday. Meteorologists warn of continued heavy rainfall and squally winds in the eastern states over the next 48 hours. Authorities have activated the National Disaster Response Force across affected zones and urged the public to monitor official updates. The system's residual moisture may also impact inland agriculture prompting advisories on crop protection.