The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclone Arnab on Monday morning, the Regional Meteorological Centre (IMD) in Chennai said. The system is expected to move northwest and make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam, tomorrow evening.
As of Monday afternoon, the cyclone was moving at about 15 kmph and was located around 580 km east-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 610 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). It strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm over the central-west Bay of Bengal late Monday night and is forecast to intensify further today.
At the time of landfall, IMD said winds could reach 115–125 kmph, with gusts up to 140 kmph. A warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued for the next two days for coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana.
In Tamil Nadu, the northeast monsoon remains active. In the 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Monday, Karatholuvu (Tiruppur) and Othakalmandapam (Coimbatore) recorded 16 cm each, while Kothavascheri (Cuddalore) received 15 cm.
IMD also said a low-pressure area from the southeast Arabian Sea has shifted towards the southwest Bay and adjoining south coastal Tamil Nadu, with a trough extending via south Kerala. Due to these conditions, moderate rain with thunder, lightning and gusty winds is likely at a few places over the Western Ghats districts and southern Tamil Nadu today and tomorrow, while Chennai may see partly cloudy skies with light thundershowers in some areas. Fishermen in the deep sea have been advised to return to shore immediately.
