The IMD has forecast thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds over parts of south India as Cyclonic Storm Arnab approaches. Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are likely to experience gusty winds reaching 80–90 kmph on Tuesday (October 27) and Wednesday (October 28). 

Telangana may experience a thundersquall with wind speeds reaching 50–60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, on Wednesday (October 28). Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are also likely to receive very heavy rainfall on Monday (October 26).

The weather system, which lay over east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal on Monday morning, will gradually intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of October 28, the IMD said in a bulletin.

Light to moderate rain will occur over some districts of south Bengal, including North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Howrah, Hooghly and Kolkata from October 27-30, it said.

Heavy rainfall is also likely from October 28-30 in the districts of South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia in south Bengal, the bulletin said.

-PTI

With the Northeast monsoon intensifying across Tamil Nadu, a red alert has been sounded in Kodaikanal, keeping tourists away and leaving popular spots in the hill station deserted.

The continuous downpour has not only affected the local hospitality and tourism sectors but has also severely disrupted the daily lives of residents in Dindigul district. In the Moonjikkal-Dobikana (Topikkanal) area of Kodaikanal, over 20 houses were flooded, forcing residents to spend sleepless nights safeguarding their belongings and livestock.

Weather experts monitored the movement and intensity of Cyclone Arnab at the State Emergency Operations Centre of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) in Tadepalli, Guntur district, on Monday (October 26, 2026). 

The Andhra Pradesh government warned that the cyclone is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Wednesday and cross the coast between Visakhapatnam and Bapatla, with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall likely from Monday night. The government urged people to remain alert and take necessary precautions.

PHOTO: G. N. RAO

Cyclone Arnab has moved at a speed of 15 km per hour in the last six hours and is currently centred 610 km from Visakhapatnam, 690 km from Kakinada, 790 km from Machilipatnam and 860 km from Bapatla, Prakhar Jain, Managing Director, State Disaster Management Authority, said.

Heavy rain that continued from Sunday (October 26, 2026) afternoon into the night inundated streets and residential areas near Selvachinthamani lake along Sundakkamuthur Road in Coimbatore city, with knee-deep water reported on some stretches and rainwater entering houses in Selvapuram.

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As Cyclone Arnab is closing in on the Andhra Pradesh coast and likely to affect the conduct of elections to urban local bodies (ULBs) on November 1, State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha discussed it with State Disaster Management Authority Managing Director Prakhar Jain to gear up for any contingency.

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Cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ (pronounced “Ornab”), located over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, is moving west-northwestward and is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight today (October 26, 2026) and a very severe cyclonic storm by October 27. 

It is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, with maximum sustained winds of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph, by the forenoon of October 28, 2026. A red message cyclone warning has been issued for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts.

The Odisha government has prohibited fishing activities in the sea and banned entry of tourists in the hills, waterfalls and dams in six districts as it has stepped up precautionary measures in view of a cyclonic storm that is likely to make landfall in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh within 48 hours, officials said on Monday (October 26, 2026)

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The Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) has intensified its preparedness for Cyclone Arnab, with the anticipated landfall direction towards Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Godavari and Kakinada districts focusing attention on these vulnerable areas.

Following the India Meteorological Department’s warning about the Cyclone named Arnab over the east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal, the utility has mobilised personnel, machinery and essential electrical materials to minimise disruptions and expedite power restoration in cyclone-affected areas.

APEPDCL has opened 30 divisional control rooms, in addition to 11 circle-level control rooms, to monitor the situation and coordinate emergency response measures. Kakinada and East Godavari have three divisional control rooms each, while Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema has two. -- V. Kamalakara Rao

At least 4,800 fishing boats have called off their fishing activity, returned safely from the sea, and landed at Kakinada fishing harbour and various fish landing centres along the Kakinada coast in response to a call given by the State government as part of preparedness for cyclone ‘Arnab’.

The Fisheries Department, Indian Coast Guard and Kakinada district authorities have appealed to the fisherfolk not to venture into the sea for marine fishing activity until further direction. Uppada-Ameenabad, Kumbhabhishekam are the major fish landing centres on the Kakinada coast. 

Kakinada District Fisheries Officer V. Krishna Rao told The Hindu; “Above 4,800 boats which are involved in the marine fishing in the Bay of Bengal off Kakinada coast have returned from the sea and anchored at their respective harbour and landing centres by Monday”. -- The Hindu Bureau

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati, has announced that the deep depression over Eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’.

In its 8.20 a.m. bulletin, the IMD said the deep depression moved nearly westwards, with a speed of 15 kmph during last 6 hours, and intensified into a cyclone, which lay centred over Eastcentral and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal.

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a severe Cyclonic Storm over westcentral Bay of Bengal by Monday midnight and into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm over the same region by Tuesday (October 27, 2026).

The storm is likely to cross the coast by October 28 noon.

As of 8.30 a.m., no major rainfall activity has been reported from Andhra Pradesh. The IMD did not give any major rainfall alerts for Monday (October 26, 2026). -- The Hindu Bureau

As per IMD bulletin, the cyclone is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over westcentral Bay of Bengal by midnight of Monday (October 26, 2026) and into a very severe cyclonic storm over the same region on October 27, 2026. - Satyasundar Barik

The deep depression over eastcentral and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal on Monday (October 26, 2026) moved nearly westwards with a speed of 15 kmph during last six hours, intensified into cyclonic storm “Arnab” (Pronunciation: Ornab), says IMD.

The cyclone lay-centered around 590 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman Islands), 650 km east-southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 730 km east-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 830 km east of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 910 km east of Bapatla (Andhra Pradesh). -- Satyasundar Barik

The Highways Department has kept 5,000 bags of cold mix ready for repairing roads that have been damaged in the rains this week.

The damages on Major Mukund Varadarajan Road (Velachery-Tambaram Road) have been given priority as the road cut made for laying a 2mt diameter water pipeline by the CMWSSB for a length of 800 mts had to be restored. 

Almost all roads under the maintenance of the Highways department have suffered some kind of damage due to water stagnation or rain water falling from Metrorail pillars. At places the top layer has worn off and in some others, potholes have developed.

Of the 650 km length of roads under Chennai City roads, 43 km have suffered damages. Places like Moovarasampet and Nanmangalam that lack SWD have suffered significant damage. Sources in the Highways department said they were taking up repairs wherever necessary. “We have mobilised men and machinery needed for the repairs. We are waiting for a dry spell before the wet mixes are used. Temporary filling up of potholes are being taken up,” the source added. -- The Hindu Bureau

The depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by October 28 and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, with wind speeds of up to 125 kmph and gusts reaching 140 kmph.

All educational institutions in Palakkad district, including professional colleges, will remain closed on Monday (October 26) due to continued heavy rain, District Collector K. Sudheer announced here on Sunday.

The holiday applies to anganwadis, madrasas, tuition centres, coaching centres and special classes. Examinations scheduled in advance will be held as planned. Previously scheduled fairs and festivals may proceed with adequate safety measures, the Collector said.

Heavy rain and landslides disrupted vehicular movement on the Pachamalai ghat road in the district on Sunday.

Many parts of Tiruchi, Karur, Perambalur, and Ariyalur districts recorded heavy rain on Sunday. Thenpuranadu, Vathalai, Sirugudi, Samayapuram, Musiri, and Tiruchi junction were among the places where heavy rain was recorded in the last 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m on Sunday. While Thenpuranadu recorded 120 mm rainfall, Koppampatti received 70 mm rainfall. Kallakudi, Devimangalam and Sirugudi recorded 42.4 mm, 53 mm and 67 mm respectively. Tiruchi junction recorded 43.6 mm rainfall. Jayankondam and Sidhamalli in Ariyalur district, Kulithalai and Krishnarayapuram in Karur district also received heavy rainfall.

Fisherfolk along the Kakinada coast have been alerted to suspend fishing activities in view of heavy rains and strong winds expected from October 27. Those engaged in marine fishing have been asked to return to their respective fish landing centres.

Kakinada Joint Collector Apoorva Bharat has directed officials to defer their leave during the cyclone period and remain available to handle the situation until further instructions. Revenue, Civil Supplies and Fisheries officials have been asked to ensure adequate fuel supplies at filling stations and deliver gas cylinders within two days. Control rooms have been set up at the Collectorate and all mandal headquarters, and relief camps have been identified.

The ecologically fragile Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu was hit by as many as 62 landslips in the 24 hours ending at 7 a.m. on Sunday (October 25, 2026), following light to moderate spell of rain across the district. 

According to official data from the district administration, heavy damage to infrastructure was reported, with 15 huts partly damaged, one hut fully collapsed and 16 revetments damaged across the district. The continuous spell led to the damage of two high-tension poles, nine low-tension poles and one distribution transformer. A total of 28 trees were uprooted. 

Several districts in Tamil Nadu received moderate to heavy rainfall till 5.30 a.m. on Monday (October 26, 2026), according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC).

The weather station in Pamban received 11.4 cm, followed by Coimbatore (8 cm), HRS Vijayanagaram in Nilgiris and Palani 7 cm each, Vedasandur in Dindigul 6 cm.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday reviewed the State’s preparedness to deal with the impending cyclone, directing officials to remain on high alert and minimise disruption to people’s lives.

Officials briefed the Chief Minister on evacuation plans, rehabilitation centres, food and drinking water supplies, medical assistance, power restoration and other precautionary measures.

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Schools in Ramanathapuram district, four taluks in the Nilgiris district and Periyakulam block in Theni district will remain closed on Monday (October 26) following rainfall.

Ramanathapuram District Collector Sivaguru Prabhakar declared a holiday for schools across the district. In the Nilgiris, District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru announced a holiday for schools in Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Kundah taluks. Theni District Collector Sivakrishnamurthy also declared a holiday for schools in Periyakulam block.

-THB

The Odisha Government on Sunday (October 25) stepped up preparations, mobilising personnel and equipment, while Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi deputed eight ministers to vulnerable districts.

Mr. Majhi said although the system was forecast to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, the Odisha government would take no chances and remain fully prepared to deal with any eventuality.

He directed officials to prioritise public safety, evacuation and emergency response, reiterating the State’s zero-casualty objective.

-PTI

The coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are on high alert ahead of a severe cyclonic storm which is expected to make landfall on the morning of October 28, with winds of 115 kmph to 125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph.

According to a bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department on Sunday (October 25, 2026) evening, “the depression over eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal moved southwestwards with speed of 5 kmph during past six hours, [and] intensified into a deep depression. It lay centered in the Bay, about 420 km north-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman Islands, and 870 km east-southeast of Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

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The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Pudukottai, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram districts on Monday. 

Heavy rain is likely to occur over isolated places in Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Karur, Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam districts. 

The remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are likely to witness moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning at many places. Several areas are likely to witness gusty winds during the thunderstorms, at speeds reaching 40 kmph to 50 kmph.

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