Indian officials have mandated nearly 100,000 people in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to evacuate their homes in response to predictions of a severe cyclone, Arnab. This cyclone, classified as a "very severe cyclone," is expected to reach the shores of Andhra Pradesh in southeastern India on Wednesday morning.
Cyclone Predictions and Associated Risks
According to reports from the India Meteorological Department, Cyclone Arnab will make landfall with speeds exceeding 150 kilometers per hour, posing risks of "complete destruction" of thatched houses, local flooding, and serious damage to agricultural crops. Officials stated that approximately 50,000 people in Andhra Pradesh and 48,000 in Odisha are under evacuation orders. Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have also ordered the closure of schools and educational institutions in certain areas from Tuesday to Saturday.
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Security and Relief Measures
More than 4,700 pregnant women living in high-risk areas have been transferred to hospitals. The state of Odisha has also opened 1,735 cyclone shelters and restricted movement in landslide-prone areas. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall has begun in the port city of Kakinada, and police have blocked access to the beaches. One resident of the area, Katesh Kumar, 35, expressed concern, stating, "I have never seen anything like this."
Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has ordered that the cyclone be continuously monitored and necessary precautions be taken. The Indian Cabinet Office has also announced that "sufficient shelters and evacuation measures" have been provided.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka has closed schools, and the country's meteorological department has warned that the cyclones may cause flash floods and landslides. The military is also on standby. In Nepal, officials have warned that as the cyclone moves towards the Himalayas, there is a risk of heavy rainfall and dangers from heavy snow and avalanches. They have advised tourists to avoid mountainous areas.
Cyclones, which typically occur in the Indian Ocean, have intensified this year due to the El Niño weather phenomenon. Cyclone Arnab is considered one of the serious threats to residents in these areas, and protective and relief measures are being implemented by officials.
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