8 hrs ago
Cyclone Arnab Threatens Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Coast
A strong weather system is moving across the Bay of Bengal toward India’s eastern coast.
The India Meteorological Department says it may become stronger before reaching land.
The expected landfall is around the night of September 23.
Forecasts place the crossing between areas near Visakhapatnam, Gopalpur and Kalingapatnam.
Andhra Pradesh and Odisha may receive heavy rain, lightning and strong winds.
Several districts in West Bengal and other states also have rain or storm warnings.
Red alerts issued earlier remain for Srikakulam and Vizianagaram.
People are being told to avoid weak buildings, trees and areas that could flood or experience landslides.
Fishermen in the region have been told to stay on shore until September 25.
The India Meteorological Department says the Bay of Bengal depression may intensify and cross the coast by the night of September 23.
Forecast landfall areas differ slightly, ranging from between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur to between Gopalpur and Kalingapatnam.
Orange alerts cover districts in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Maharashtra.
Earlier red alerts remain active for Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts, although no red alert applied in the latest nowcast window.
Residents have been warned about heavy rain, lightning, gusty winds, rough seas and possible flooding, while fishermen must remain ashore until September 25.
- Who
- Residents and fishermen in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and other warned areas are affected; the India Meteorological Department issued the forecasts.
- What
- A Bay of Bengal depression is expected to intensify and cross India’s eastern coast, with some reports calling the system Cyclone Arnab.
- Where
- The system is over the Bay of Bengal, with forecast landfall between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur or, in another forecast, between Gopalpur and Kalingapatnam.
- When
- The system is forecast to cross by the night of September 23; fishermen have been told to remain ashore until September 25.
- Why
- The system may bring heavy or intense rain, lightning, gusty winds, rough seas, flooding and landslides.
Cyclone classification and forecast
Deep-depression classification and forecast
System status
Cyclone classification and forecast
One report and the existing summary refer to the system as Cyclone Arnab and say it is strengthening toward cyclone or severe-cyclone status.
Deep-depression classification and forecast
The India Meteorological Department report says the system has not yet officially become a cyclone because sustained winds remain below 63 kmph; it is forecast to become a deep depression.
Expected landfall area
Cyclone classification and forecast
The forecast is described as landfall between Gopalpur and Kalingapatnam, during the September 23 evening to September 24 morning window.
Deep-depression classification and forecast
The latest IMD forecast places the crossing between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur by the night of September 23.
Warning severity
Cyclone classification and forecast
The storm’s expected impacts have prompted high alerts, including earlier red warnings in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram.
Deep-depression classification and forecast
The latest nowcast placed no district under a red warning, while retaining the earlier red alerts and issuing orange alerts for thunderstorms, lightning, rain and winds.
Key facts
- Current system
- A depression over the Bay of Bengal, forecast to intensify into a deep depression
- Reported position
- 17.9°N, 85.8°E, about 180 km south-southeast of Gopalpur
- Movement
- West-northwestward, slowing to about 8 kmph
- Forecast timing
- Coastal crossing expected by the night of September 23
- Orange alerts
- Issued across districts in seven states, including Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
- Red alerts
- Earlier red alerts for Srikakulam and Vizianagaram remain in force
- Fishermen warning
- Stay ashore until September 25
Quotes
Anu Garg
Odisha Chief Secretary commenting on the IMD forecast
“could intensify into a deep depression, but not a cyclone”
wionews.com
Sources
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