As Very Severe Cyclone Arnab Nears, India Evacuates Tens of Thousands From Eastern Coast
Storm approaches eastern coast
The India Meteorological Department warned coastal residents in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as Cyclone Arnab strengthened over the Bay of Bengal. The storm was located 260km southeast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh’s most populous city.
Arnab is expected to reach land on Wednesday. More than 12 million people live within the area along its projected route.
Evacuations and shelters underway
By Monday night, almost 50,000 people had been taken from vulnerable areas to shelters, Reuters reported, citing Prakhar Jain, managing director of the authority. An estimated 400,000 people were considered in need of evacuation.
In Odisha, authorities said they planned to move 48,000 people away from danger, according to The Hindu. The cyclone formed over the Bay of Bengal, a major source of tropical storms that often affect India’s eastern coast.
Transport services disrupted
Railway authorities announced that at least 12 trains in eastern India had been cancelled. They also suspended services on 53 routes along the southern coast for Tuesday and Wednesday.
The cyclone warning follows a Himalayan flash flood in August that killed about 1,500 people in India. Authorities are now preparing for Arnab as it moves toward the coast.
Key points
- Cyclone Arnab is forecast to make landfall on Wednesday.
- More than 12 million people live along the storm’s projected path.
- Nearly 50,000 people had reached shelters by Monday night.
- At least 12 trains were cancelled, and 53 coastal routes were suspended.