Andhra Pradesh Orders Five Days of High Alert as Cyclone Arnab Nears the Coast

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Anita has directed senior officials to keep the state machinery on high alert for the next five days, as the India Meteorological Department warns that Cyclone Arnab could cause severe devastation along the state’s coastline.

The warning, reported on October 25, 2026, leaves little room for complacency. Officials have been told to act with extreme caution through the coming days, and the government is moving to put emergency teams and field staff in position before the storm arrives.

Heavy Rain Begins Monday

According to the minister, widespread rain is expected from Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, coastal Andhra districts are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, raising the risk of flooding in low-lying areas and along the shoreline.

The most dangerous window is Wednesday. The cyclone is expected to cross the coast somewhere between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, and the minister warned that winds could blow at 115 to 125 kilometres per hour at the time of landfall.

Coastal districts must stay on guard for the next five days, and Home Minister Anita has told officials to act with extreme caution before the storm reaches land.

Coastal Districts Face the Brunt

For residents living between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, the warning is direct. The Home Minister has instructed collectors, superintendents of police and field-level officers in the cyclone-affected districts to remain alert at all times. Dangerous hoardings must be removed immediately, before strong winds turn them into projectiles.

If necessary, authorities have been asked to make arrangements to move people living on the coast to safer locations. That contingency planning signals that the government is preparing for the possibility of evacuations, not just a wait-and-see response.

Rescue Teams on Standby

The state has asked for National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force teams to be kept ready for rescue and relief operations. Their deployment could prove critical if flooding or wind damage cuts off communities in the hardest-hit areas.

Fishermen have been told not to venture into the sea during the alert period. Tourists will not be allowed onto beaches, and the public has been urged to stay away from dangerous spots where large waves are breaking. Visitors were specifically warned against taking selfies near high-wave areas, a common cause of accidents during rough weather.

Farmers and Residents Urged to Prepare Early

Farmers and ordinary residents have been asked to take precautionary measures now rather than after the storm hits. The minister also appealed to the public not to believe or spread rumours circulating on social media, a warning that matters when fast-moving false claims can trigger panic during a disaster.

Residents have been told to follow only official warnings issued by the disaster management agency and the RTGS. In a fast-moving emergency, those channels will carry the instructions that matter most for safety, from shelter decisions to travel restrictions.

What Residents Need to Do Now

For people in coastal Andhra Pradesh, the next five days are the window to act. Secure loose objects, avoid the sea and beaches, stay indoors when winds pick up, and keep track of official bulletins. The state has made its position clear: the alert is strict, and the time to prepare is before the cyclone makes landfall, not after.