Hunker down: On Cyclone Arnab, its landfall

Cyclone Arnand arrived in the Bay of Bengal during the pre‑monsoon season, bringing heavy rain and gusts that reached near‑tropical storm strength. The storm moved quickly toward the coastal districts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, prompting the Indian Meteorological Department to issue early warnings and evacuation notices. Residents were advised to move to designated shelters, and power utilities began pre‑emptive shutdowns to protect infrastructure.

State governments activated disaster response teams, deploying medical kits, food supplies, and temporary shelters ahead of the storm's arrival. The National Disaster Response Force set up command centres to coordinate rescue operations, while local volunteers helped clear drainage channels to reduce flooding risk. These measures, combined with real‑time communication through radio and mobile alerts, allowed people to seek safety before the worst of the wind arrived.

After the cyclone passed, damage assessments showed that many homes had been protected by reinforced roofing and that flood levels remained below critical thresholds in most areas. While some agricultural fields suffered loss, the overall impact on human life was limited compared with similar storms in the past. Officials credited the low casualty figure to the coordinated planning and the willingness of communities to follow evacuation orders, highlighting the importance of preparedness for future weather events.