Over 180,000 evacuated in India as Cyclone Arnab makes landfall
Thousands sought shelter and over 180,000 were evacuated as Cyclone Arnab struck India’s east coast, toppling trees and power lines, authorities said.
Key Takeaways
AIIndian authorities reported that trees fell on highways and power poles were uprooted as thousands sought shelter from Cyclone Arnab, which struck the country's eastern coast today. More than 180,000 people were evacuated in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha states ahead of the cyclone's arrival.
According to Reuters, no casualties have been reported in either state, but power outages occurred, some schools were closed, and several train and flight services were suspended.
The India Meteorological Department said Cyclone Arnab, classified as a 'very severe cyclonic storm'—the third highest category on its scale—made landfall on the coast of Andhra Pradesh this morning before moving fully inland.
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the suspension of operations at three airports in Andhra Pradesh.
In neighboring Nepal, a spokesperson for the Department of Immigration told Reuters that authorities suspended the issuance of trekking permits in high mountain areas for three days due to the risk of heavy rain and snowstorms.
Cyclone Arnab formed over the Bay of Bengal, a region frequently hit by tropical cyclones that have caused deadly storms along India's east coast.
Notably, the super cyclone that killed nearly 10,000 people when it struck Odisha in October 1999 remains one of India's deadliest natural disasters.