Cyclone Arnab is approaching India's eastern coast, putting Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on alert ahead of its expected landfall on Wednesday, 28 October. As authorities prepare for the approaching storm, questions are emerging about its potential impact, evacuation plans and the measures being taken to protect vulnerable communities.
But why is this cyclone called Arnab? Who named Cyclone Arnab, how are cyclone names selected, and why do storms around the world get distinct names?
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Where Is Cyclone Arnab Heading?
Cyclone Arnab formed over the Bay of Bengal and intensified into a cyclonic storm. According to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) forecast on 26 October, the storm is moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast and could cross the coastline between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of 28 October.
The IMD has forecast that the system could intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before landfall. Maximum sustained wind speeds are expected to reach 115–125 kmph, with gusts of up to 140 kmph.
Northern and central coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh are expected to experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Southern parts of Odisha could also face intense rain, making preparations necessary beyond the area where the cyclone is expected to make landfall.
The storm's track and intensity may change as the system develops. Residents in potentially affected areas should follow official weather bulletins and advisories issued by local authorities.
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From Evacuations To Emergency Teams: What Measures Are Being Taken?
Authorities in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are preparing for the possibility of flooding, power cuts and damage to homes and infrastructure as Cyclone Arnab approaches the coast.
In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed district administrations to remain on high alert, set up control rooms and send regular updates to residents' mobile phones. Officials have also been asked to arrange the safe evacuation of people from vulnerable coastal villages.
The state has identified approximately 5.7 lakh people living in vulnerable areas who may need to be evacuated. Authorities said evacuations were scheduled to begin on Monday evening, 26 October. Authorities have instructed boats at sea to return to shore and asked electricity officials to prepare for the speedy restoration of power following any disruption.
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha has directed officials to remove dangerous hoardings, keep National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams ready, and ensure that rescue operations can begin without delay.
Officials have also been asked to restrict access to beaches in affected areas. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea, while residents have been warned against approaching rough waters.
“Odisha, meanwhile, is preparing to relocate people from low-lying areas to cyclone shelters. Schools and colleges in five districts, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri, are scheduled to close on Wednesday and Thursday, 28 and 29 October, as a precaution.”
At the national level, Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee on 26 October to review preparations. Central and state agencies are coordinating their response, with the focus on preventing casualties and restoring essential services quickly.
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Why Are Cyclones Given Names?
A cyclone's name is more than a label. It helps meteorologists, emergency services, governments and the public identify a particular storm throughout its development.
When several weather systems are being tracked across the ocean, referring to each one only by its location or technical description can make warnings harder to follow. A distinct name makes official alerts easier to communicate, remember and share.
Naming also reduces confusion when several cyclones develop in the same region or when a storm's forecast changes.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) oversee the regional naming arrangement through their Panel on Tropical Cyclones. The system for the North Indian Ocean began in September 2004.
Not every weather disturbance receives a name immediately. The Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in New Delhi, operated by the IMD, assigns names to qualifying tropical cyclones over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea once they reach the required intensity.
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Why Is The Cyclone Called Arnab?
The name Arnab was proposed by Bangladesh. It appears in the official list of tropical cyclone names adopted in April 2020 by the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones.
The official list gives the prescribed pronunciation as “Ornab”. The name is commonly associated with the Bengali word for the ocean or sea, although the official naming list does not provide a formal definition.
However, the cyclone's name does not indicate which country it will hit. Bangladesh proposed the name, but the storm is approaching India's eastern coast. The naming system operates regionally, with names drawn from a pre-approved list rather than chosen according to the country where a storm is expected to make landfall.
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How Does The Cyclone Naming System Work?
The current North Indian Ocean naming list includes contributions from 13 countries: Bangladesh, India, Iran, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Each country submitted 13 names, creating a list of 169 names. The names are arranged by country and used sequentially, column by column, as qualifying cyclones develop.
The list includes names such as Gati, Tej, Remal and Dana, alongside Arnab. Once a name from this regional list has been used, it is not used again under the system's rules.
The names are therefore selected well in advance. They are not chosen in response to a cyclone's strength, its expected path or the place where it eventually makes landfall.
This also means that India does not name every cyclone that approaches its coast. The IMD assigns names from the shared list when the relevant criteria are met.
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TL;DR | News At A Glance
What Is Cyclone Arnab?
Cyclone Arnab is a tropical cyclone approaching India's eastern coast, with Andhra Pradesh and Odisha preparing for its potential impact.
When Is Cyclone Arnab Expected To Make Landfall?
Cyclone Arnab is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, 28 October 2026.
Which Indian States Are Preparing For Cyclone Arnab?
Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are preparing for the approaching cyclone, including evacuation and emergency response measures.
How Many People Are Vulnerable To Cyclone Arnab In Andhra Pradesh?
Andhra Pradesh has identified around 5.7 lakh people as vulnerable ahead of the cyclone.
Who Named Cyclone Arnab?
Bangladesh contributed the name Arnab to the regional list of cyclone names used in the North Indian Ocean.
Why Are Cyclones Given Names?
Cyclones are named to make warnings and public communication clearer, helping authorities, media and communities identify individual storms.
How Are Cyclone Names Selected?
The World Meteorological Organisation's regional cyclone naming system uses names contributed by countries in the North Indian Ocean region.
What Weather Conditions Can Cyclone Arnab Bring?
Cyclones can bring powerful winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and dangerous coastal conditions. The actual impact depends on the storm's intensity and path.
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