Cyclone Arnab likely drew moisture from Tamil Nadu system, but did not merge

Fierce winds and heavy rainfall pounded India's southeastern coast after Cyclone Arnab made landfall on Wednesday, though officials confirmed there were no initial reports of fatalities. The storm, classified as a very severe cyclonic storm, brought winds of 125-135 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 150 kph. Torrential rain, amounting to up to 30 centimeters in some areas, was recorded across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha states.

Cyclone Arnab was expected to weaken into a deep depression by Wednesday afternoon. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh reported no deaths attributed to the storm, praising the tireless efforts of government officials. About 98,000 people were advised to relocate to safer locations, with an additional 48,000 in neighboring Odisha.

The impact of the cyclone prompted residents, such as 65-year-old Rajeshwari, to seek refuge in government shelters. Floodwaters inundated homes, leaving residents like Hussain and Sadiq expressing relief at the limited damage despite the rough sea and fallen trees. While neighboring countries like Sri Lanka and Nepal were also warned, Nepal's disaster authority cautioned of the storm's inland progression towards the Himalayas, posing risks of heavy snowfall, snowstorms, and avalanches following a devastating flood in August that claimed over 1,400 lives.