Add StudioX as a preferred source on GoogleCyclone Arnab crossed India’s east coast early Wednesday, killing at least five people in Andhra Pradesh and forcing tens of thousands from their homes.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the very severe cyclonic storm began its landfall around 2 a.m. local time on Oct. 28, crossing the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts near Narsapur in West Godavari. The process was complete by about 8 a.m.
At landfall, the IMD reported sustained winds of 125 to 135 km/h, with gusts up to 150 km/h. The storm weakened to a severe cyclonic storm once it moved inland.
Deaths and damage
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu confirmed five deaths on Wednesday evening. Reported causes include electrocution, falling trees and poles, and a wall collapse. Some later reports put the toll at six or more, and the figure may rise.
Early official estimates point to wide damage:
- About 57,000 people moved to relief camps in Andhra Pradesh.
- Around 180 houses damaged.
- Crops, including coconut and banana, damaged on roughly 71,000 hectares of farmland.
- More than 35 flights cancelled or diverted at two Andhra Pradesh airports, along with train cancellations.
Power was cut in many areas as a precaution, and schools and colleges were closed. Reports from the region showed uprooted trees, blocked roads and flooding in towns including Machilipatnam and Kakinada.
The National Disaster Response Force deployed 39 teams. Across Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha, more than 180,000 people were evacuated, according to the force. Odisha opened 1,735 cyclone shelters.
The IMD expected the system to keep weakening into a deep depression, but warned of continued heavy rain in coastal Andhra Pradesh and possible storm surge in low-lying areas. Rain warnings also covered Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and parts of West Bengal.
Canada’s travel advice
On Oct. 27, the Government of Canada updated its travel advisory for India. It now advises Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to the Andhra Pradesh coast between the mouth of the Krishna River and Visakhapatnam.
The advisory warns that transportation, power, water, food supply, telecommunications and medical care could be severely disrupted. Canadians already in the area are told to monitor local news and weather, and to follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders.
Ottawa also encourages Canadians abroad to sign up for the free Registration of Canadians Abroad service, which sends alerts during emergencies.
For families in Canada
Many Canadians have relatives in coastal Andhra Pradesh. With power and phone networks disrupted, families may struggle to reach loved ones for some time.
Canadians in India who need urgent consular help can contact the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi at +91 11 4178 2000 or india.consular@international.gc.ca, or reach Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at any time. Local emergency numbers in India are 112 or 100 for police, 101 for fire and 102 for medical help.
Anyone with travel booked to Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada or nearby areas should check with their airline before leaving, as flight disruptions may continue.
Sources: India Meteorological Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, National Disaster Response Force, Global Affairs Canada, Xinhua, Outlook India, SBS
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving multilingual diaspora communities across Canada. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, NEPMCC, and the Canadian Freelance Union (Unifor). Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
