VISAKHAPTNAM: The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts southwest of Yanam on Wednesday morning and subsequently weakened into a Severe Cyclonic Storm, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
In its latest update, the IMD stated that Arnab crossed the coast about 20 km east-northeast of Narsapur, 40 km southwest of Yanam and 60 km southwest of Kakinada between 2 am and 8 am on Wednesday as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm.
At the time of landfall, the system packed maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph.
The latest observations indicate that the landfall process has been completed, with the cyclone's centre moving entirely over land.
The six-hour-long landfall process explains the prolonged gale-force winds experienced along the coasts of West Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada and Yanam through the early morning hours.
The system, which had remained practically stationary over the west-central Bay of Bengal close to the coast on Tuesday night, with wind speeds of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph, intensified marginally before landfall.
Visakhapatnam and adjoining coastal districts have been reporting heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds since Tuesday. According to the IMD's 5.30 am bulletin, cumulative rainfall of 216.9 mm was recorded at Visakhapatnam-Waltair. Kalingapatnam received 147.5 mm, Tuni 123.3 mm, Kakinada 118.4 mm and Machilipatnam 115.2 mm.
Low-lying areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh were expected to face inundation due to a storm surge of 1.0 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide during the landfall period.
With the cyclone's centre now over land, the IMD has downgraded the system to a Severe Cyclonic Storm. Further weakening is expected as it moves inland in a north-northwestward direction.
Power disruptions have been reported in Visakhapatnam and nearby areas, with outages persisting for nearly 24 hours in several pockets.
No casualties in Andhra Pradesh, says CM Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said no casualties had been reported so far due to Cyclone Arnab, crediting advance precautionary measures taken by the administration.
During a teleconference with 32,000 personnel, including district collectors, Naidu directed officials to minimise property damage and restore normalcy in affected areas at the earliest.
He asked officials to clear roads blocked by fallen trees within two hours, restore power supply once strong winds subside and ensure adequate food, drinking water and medical facilities at relief camps.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to protect agricultural and horticultural crops, prevent breaches in tanks and canals, assess crop damage and keep National and State Disaster Response Force personnel on standby.