New Delhi: Severe cyclonic storm Arnab, currently moving across the west-central Bay of Bengal, is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours before making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned on Monday.

The weather department has issued a red-message cyclone warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining southern Odisha, forecasting powerful winds reaching 140 kmph, accompanied by heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several areas.

According to the IMD's latest bulletin, issued based on observations recorded at 5.30 pm on Monday, the cyclone is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, during the forenoon of October 28.

The storm is expected to make landfall with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115–125 kmph, gusting up to 140 kmph.

Cyclone Arnab intensifies over Bay of Bengal

The cyclonic system, pronounced 'Ornab', moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 17 kmph during the six hours preceding the latest observation, strengthening into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal.

At 5.30 pm, the cyclone was centred near latitude 15.6°N and longitude 87.3°E, approximately 490 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and 490 km south-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha.

The system was also located around 560 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 660 km east of Machilipatnam and 730 km east of Bapatla.

It was positioned approximately 730 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman Islands.

The IMD expects the storm to continue moving west-northwestwards while gaining strength over the next 12 hours.

It is forecast to maintain this trajectory until the evening of October 27 before gradually turning northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coastline.

If the projected track remains unchanged, the cyclone will cross the coast near Yanam on the morning of October 28 as a very severe cyclonic storm.

Red and orange rainfall alerts issued for Odisha

With the cyclone approaching the eastern coastline, the IMD has issued red and orange alerts for several districts of Odisha, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.

Widespread rainfall is expected across the state on October 28, with isolated areas likely to experience extremely heavy downpours.

Strong winds and intense rainfall could also trigger landslides in vulnerable areas, particularly in districts with hilly terrain.

The weather department expects the cyclone's impact to continue into October 29, although rainfall activity is likely to decrease substantially from October 30.

The cyclone warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining southern Odisha has been classified as a red message, indicating the seriousness of the approaching weather system.

225 fire service teams, NDRF personnel deployed

Authorities in Odisha have stepped up disaster preparedness measures ahead of the cyclone's expected landfall.

A total of 225 fire service teams, along with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, have been deployed as part of precautionary arrangements and potential rescue operations.

The teams are preparing to respond to emergencies arising from heavy rainfall, strong winds and other cyclone-related disruptions.

The latest IMD forecast indicates that Cyclone Arnab will strengthen further before approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, with coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha expected to experience significant weather disturbances over the next two days.