Cyclone Arnab Crosses India’s Coast as Bangladesh Braces for Rain and Gusty Winds

Cyclone Arnab crossed India’s Andhra Pradesh coast early on Wednesday, October 28, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to parts of eastern India, while Bangladesh faces the possibility of scattered showers, temporary gusty winds and slightly lower temperatures.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said the storm was moving northwest after developing over the Bay of Bengal. Its latest forecast indicated that rain or thundershowers could occur in parts of Bangladesh over the coming hours, although the country is not expected to experience the cyclone’s direct landfall.

The forecast offers some relief from the mild heat wave affecting several parts of Bangladesh, but it also means residents should continue monitoring official weather updates.

What happened when Cyclone Arnab reached India?

India’s Meteorological Department tracked Arnab over the west-central Bay of Bengal before it approached the Andhra Pradesh coast. The storm made landfall early Wednesday, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall and winds reaching approximately 135 kilometres per hour, according to the Associated Press.

The cyclone weakened somewhat before landfall and was downgraded from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm. It was expected to weaken further as it moved inland, although strong winds and heavy rainfall remained a concern in parts of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha.

Indian authorities evacuated at least 89,000 people from vulnerable areas in Andhra Pradesh, opened more than 2,000 shelters and deployed medical teams as part of the emergency response. Transport services were also disrupted.

These preparations highlight the risks that powerful Bay of Bengal cyclones can pose to densely populated coastal communities, even when their paths do not directly affect neighbouring countries.

What weather can Bangladesh expect?

Bangladesh’s weather forecast indicates the possibility of scattered rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds. The forecast covers several divisions, including Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet.