Severe cyclonic storm 'Arnab' is accelerating and will make landfall tonight between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM, hitting Yanam (Puducherry) between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.
At landfall, sustained winds will reach 115 to 125 km/h, with violent gusts up to 150 km/h, bringing torrential rains and severe storm conditions to the coastal belt.
The severe weather will deeply impact southern Odisha, where districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur brace for heavy to very heavy rainfall. Gale winds of 60 to 80 km/h are expected to lash the region, potentially causing uprooted trees, power outages, and localized flooding.
Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable zones to remain indoors and strictly follow safety guidelines as emergency response teams are deployed to manage potential hazards.