Cyclone Arnab to weaken into depression on October 29, says IMD | LIVE updates

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Commuters move through waterlogged road amidst heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Arnab, in Bhubaneswar on October 28, 2026. | Photo Credit: ANI

Cyclonic storm Arnab has weakened into a deep depression and is “very likely” to further weaken into a depression on Thursday (October 29, 2026) morning and then into a well marked low pressure area in the evening, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest weather bulletin on the day. 

At least 17 districts of southern Odisha have been affected by heavy rainfall triggered by cyclonic storm Arnab, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said. The cyclonic storm crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast earlier in the day on Wednesday (October 28, 2026). It is expected to bring heavy rainfall until the morning of Thursday (October 29, 2026) before weakening, Mr. Majhi said.

Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, five people died, prompting Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to announce a relief and compensation package for affected families, farmers, fishermen and businesses.

Also Read | Telangana offers A.P. help in restoring power supply after Cyclone Arnab

Mr. Naidu also spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and sought the Centre’s assistance in dealing with the extensive damage to crops, houses, roads and power infrastructure in several coastal districts.

In other States, rainfall activity is likely to ease considerably across Keralam and daytime temperatures are expected to rise noticeably. In Telangana, isolated places in 12 districts are likely to receive thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty winds on Thursday (October 29, 2026). 

A day after various parts of Telangana received rain under the impact of cyclonic storm Arnab, isolated places in 12 districts are likely to receive thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty winds on Thursday (October 29). The very severe cyclonic storm crossed Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on Wednesday morning, before weakening into a severe cyclonic storm.

The 12 districts where thunderstorms have been forecast are Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Mahabubabad, Warangal and Hanumakonda districts, as per the India Meteorological Department-Hyderabad Centre’s latest weather bulletin.

With severe cyclonic storm Arnab making landfall along the Andhra coast, rainfall activity is likely to ease considerably across Keralam. With the rains subsiding, daytime temperatures are expected to rise noticeably across the State. The dry spell is likely to persist until another weather system develops over the Bay of Bengal, with the mercury expected to climb during the intervening period.

Cyclone Arnab brought back grim memories of ‘Cyclone Hudhud’, which battered the city 12 years ago. Although ‘Arnab’ was less severe and did not make landfall in the city, the strong winds through the night, extensive damage to the city’s green cover, uprooted electric poles, prolonged power outages and disrupted mobile network connectivity reminded residents of the destruction caused by Hudhud in October 2014.

Residents took to social media to compare their experiences of the two cyclones. People recalled sleepless nights, prolonged power cuts and following the district administration’s instructions to remain indoors unless faced with an emergency.

Cyclone Arnab triggers memories of Hudhud’s 2014 destruction in Vizag, with power outages, uprooted trees, and renewed warnings.

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Bhatti Vikramarka spoke to Andhra Pradesh Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar over the phone on Wednesday to enquire about the impact of Cyclone Arnab.

Mr. Vikramarka assured Andhra Pradesh of the Telangana government’s full support in dealing with the situation. He said Telangana was ready to provide personnel and essential materials for restoring the damaged power supply infrastructure, if required.

Mr. Ravi Kumar briefed Mr. Vikramarka on the relief and restoration operations being carried out under the guidance of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and thanked the Telangana government for its support.

Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC) has postponed polling for the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections from November 3 to November 5 because the counting of votes for the urban local body (ULB) elections is to be done on November 3 under the revised schedule.

In a press release on Wednesday (October 28, 2026), State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha said that after an assessment of the situation created by Cyclone Arnab, and on the basis of assurances given by the Collectors and District Election Authorities of the cyclone-affected districts, it was decided not to change the November 1 polling date for the ULBs.

All major rivers, rivulets, seasonal streams across Srikakulam, Parvatipuram-Manyam and Vizianagaram districts were in spate after their catchment areas received huge inflow of waters under the impact of the very severe cyclonic storm Arnab that crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam, in the early hours of Wednesday.

According to data provided by the Srikakulam district administration, the average rainfall in normal conditions is only 136.5 mm but the district received 4,094.2 mm rainfall between 8 a.m. on Tuesday and 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Heavy rainfall in the district and upstream catchment areas led to increased inflows into the rivers Vamsadhara, Nagavali, Mahindra Tanaya, Bahuda and others.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the cyclonic storm Arnab has weakened into a deep depression and is “very likely” to further weaken into a depression today (October 29, 2026) and then into a well marked low pressure area in the evening.

Visakhapatnam district administration on Wednesday announced that all educational institutions in the district will be closed on Thursday in the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab, while District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore has directed officials to expedite the restoration of electricity, drinking water, sanitation, healthcare and road connectivity to restore normalcy.

At least 554 people were staying at 15 relief centres across the district as of Wednesday, including 260 in Pendurthi. All pregnant women had been shifted to local hospitals as a precautionary measure, officials said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has sought the Centre’s assistance in dealing with the impact of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on Wednesday morning, causing extensive damage to crops, houses, roads and power infrastructure in several coastal districts.

Mr. Naidu spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the phone and apprised him of the cyclone and its impact on the State.

Cyclone Arnab claimed five lives in Andhra Pradesh, prompting Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to announce a comprehensive relief and compensation package for affected families, farmers, fishermen and businesses.

Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, he said the government had made extensive efforts to minimise casualties and property damage.

Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat on Wednesday, the Chief Minister identified the deceased as Amrapinni Devmud and Kolamuru Madhavi from the Visakhapatnam region, Chukkala Kishore from Bhimavaram, Bhagyalakshmi from Anakapalli and Kollu Venkayamma from Sakretipalli.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) said 17 districts of Odisha had been affected by heavy rainfall triggered by severe cyclonic storm Arnab, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast early in the day.

The State government is prepared to deal with any eventuality, as the cyclonic system is expected to bring heavy rainfall until the morning of October 29 before weakening.

Follow The Hindu Live as the landfall process of the 'very severe' cyclonic storm Arnab continues along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday (October 28, 2026), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

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