Cyclone Arnab 'practically stationary,' landfall process to continue for 2-3 hours
· India · Hindustan Times, The Hindu
Cyclone Arnab remained practically stationary along the Andhra Pradesh coast early Wednesday and the landfall process is expected to continue for another two to three hours, the India Meteorological Department said at 5:30 am. The very severe cyclonic storm was located over the west-central Bay of Bengal near latitude 16.4 degrees north and longitude 82.0 degrees east, about 30 km east of Narsapur and 45 km south-southwest of Yanam. Maximum sustained wind speeds reach 135 kmph with gusts up to 150 kmph as the system moves north-westwards to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. Heavy rain has already struck Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Konaseema districts, and trees have fallen in several areas. Police rescued four people stranded in floodwaters near Bombay Katta in Kakinada after heavy rain and seawater inundated their location overnight. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation on Wednesday morning.
Why it matters
Millions in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam face life-threatening winds, storm surge and flooding as a very severe cyclone makes a prolonged landfall. Rescue operations are already underway and the slow movement increases rainfall accumulation and damage risk.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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