Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab: Path, Landfall Details, and Live Updates

The very severe cyclonic storm Arnab is bearing down on India's east coast right now. As of Tuesday morning, October 27, 2026, the storm sat about 260 kilometers southeast of Visakhapatnam, moving west at 22 kilometers per hour.

The India Meteorological Department expects landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by Wednesday forenoon. Wind speeds at landfall could hit 125 kmph, with gusts touching 140 kmph.

Over 89,000 people are already being evacuated from coastal Andhra Pradesh. If you need to track this storm live, use satellite imagery from Zoom Earth or the IMD's official cyclone bulletins—not social media rumors.

Where Is Arnab Right Now?

The storm sits over the west-central Bay of Bengal. At 5:30 AM IST on Tuesday, the IMD placed its center near latitude 15.9°N and longitude 84.8°E. That puts it roughly:

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• 260 km southeast of Visakhapatnam

• 300 km east-southeast of Kakinada

• 380 km south of Gopalpur, Odisha

• 460 km east of Bapatla

The system is moving nearly westward at 22 kmph. It should continue this track until Tuesday evening, then turn northwestward toward the coast.

When and Where Will Arnab Make Landfall?

Landfall is forecast for Wednesday, October 28, by forenoon. The crossing point sits between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam.

The IMD expects the storm to hold its "very severe" status through landfall. Maximum sustained winds will range from 115 to 125 kmph. Gusts could reach 140 kmph.

This matters because Arnab would become the 11th Very Severe Cyclonic Storm to hit Andhra Pradesh since 1970. The last one was Titli in October 2018.

How to Track Arnab Live Using Satellite Data?

You don't need expensive software. The IMD releases official bulletins every few hours. These are the most reliable source. Zoom Earth and other satellite trackers pull from the same data.

What to watch for: The IMD classifies storms by wind speed. A Very Severe Cyclonic Storm carries winds of 118 to 167 kmph. If you see reports calling Arnab "extremely severe," that would mean winds above 167 kmph. Right now, forecasts keep it below that threshold.

The honest limitation: Satellite loops show cloud tops, not ground-level wind. A perfectly organized storm on satellite can still weaken before landfall.

Arnab underwent rapid intensification on October 26. It could do the same again—or stall. Watch the official warnings, not just the pretty pictures.

Evacuations Already Underway in Andhra Pradesh

Kakinada is the focal point. At least 89,000 people along six coastal belts are moving to 101 relief camps. Hope Island, off the Kakinada coast, has been fully evacuated. Authorities moved 130 residents into Kakinada city on Monday.

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordered statewide preparedness. The government expects the storm to affect 13 districts with heavy rainfall on October 28 and 29. Wind speeds of 115 to 140 kmph are forecast in 12 districts.

Which Districts Face the Worst Risk?

The IMD has issued a red alert for five districts: Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari, Konaseema, and Kakinada.

An orange alert covers Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Bapatla, Guntur, Krishna, and NTR districts. These areas should expect heavy to very heavy rain.

In Odisha, six districts sit under an orange alert: Puri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri. Rainfall of 12 to 20 centimeters is possible.

What Went Wrong With the Forecasts

Cyclone forecasting remains imperfect. Arnab formed from a deep depression that crossed the coast in late September. That earlier system never reached cyclone strength and was not named Arnab.

The current Arnab intensified faster than some models predicted. The IMD upgraded it to "very severe" late Monday. By Tuesday morning, it was already battering coastal Andhra with rain and gusty winds.

Practical advice for residents: Don't wait for the eye to pass. Storm surge and flooding often cause more deaths than wind. Kakinada's coast faces the twin threat of 140 kmph gusts and heavy rain over saturated ground.

Transportation and Services Disrupted

South Coast Railway cancelled 53 trains on October 27 and 28. Passengers should check status before heading to stations.

Schools are closed across coastal Andhra and several Odisha districts. Anganwadi workers have been told to stay in their areas and deliver rations to beneficiaries' doorsteps.

The Andhra Pradesh disaster management authority has set up a WhatsApp helpline: 9552300009. Residents can report problems and request help through that number.

The Satellite Tracking Reality Check

I've watched cyclone trackers for years. The cone of uncertainty narrows as landfall approaches, but it never closes. A storm that looks locked on one city can wobble 50 kilometers north or south in the final hours.

What this means for you: If you live between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, prepare for the worst even if your specific town isn't in the red zone. The difference between a direct hit and a near-miss is measured in kilometers, and forecasters can't split hairs at that scale.

Use the IMD's official X account and its website. Zoom Earth gives you the satellite view. Cross-check both. Ignore viral videos claiming to show "current" conditions—they're often recycled from past storms.

What Happens After Landfall?

Arnab will weaken as it moves inland. But the rain won't stop immediately. Forecasts call for heavy precipitation to spread into Odisha, Jharkhand, and even Uttar Pradesh through October 30.

Jharkhand's Ranchi, Khunti, and surrounding districts sit under a yellow alert starting October 28. An orange alert follows for seven western districts through October 30.

The storm's remnants could trigger flooding far from the coast. That's the pattern with Bay of Bengal systems. The wind grabs headlines. The water kills people.

The Final Thoughts

The very severe cyclonic storm Arnab is a real, present threat to coastal Andhra Pradesh. Landfall is expected Wednesday morning near Yanam. Wind speeds will be dangerous.

Evacuations are already moving tens of thousands of people. If you're in the path, follow official instructions. If you're tracking from outside, stick to IMD bulletins and satellite loops—and treat any forecast past 24 hours with caution.