Cyclone Arnab Nears Andhra Pradesh Coast; Uttar Pradesh Braces for Four Days of Rain
Cyclone Arnab is moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, and its effects are expected to reach far inland. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast unseasonal rain, thunderstorms and strong winds across large parts of Uttar Pradesh between October 28 and 31.
For October 28, winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour are likely in Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Ghazipur and Ballia. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for these districts, asking residents to stay updated on weather bulletins.
An orange alert has been issued for October 29, with heavy rainfall and strong winds possible in several districts. Rain is forecast in Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Amethi and Sultanpur, among other areas.
On October 30, heavy rain and strong winds are likely in Bareilly, Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur, along with several districts of Purvanchal, Awadh and the Terai region. Daytime temperatures in these areas may fall by 5 to 8 degrees Celsius.
Following the forecast, the Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner's Office has issued precautionary guidelines for the general public and for farmers. According to an official statement issued on Monday night, the administration has also stepped up relief and rescue preparations. The office has urged people to follow weather-related warnings and the instructions issued by the local administration.
The advisory to farmers is significant because late-October rain arrives when kharif harvesting is under way in many parts of the state, and standing or freshly harvested produce can be damaged by sudden heavy showers.
The colour-coded alerts used by the IMD are meant to guide how much action people need to take. A green alert means no immediate action is required. A yellow alert means people should be aware and keep track of updates. An orange alert means authorities and residents should be prepared for disruption. A red alert, the highest level, means action is needed immediately. The alerts issued so far for Uttar Pradesh are at the yellow and orange levels.
Cyclones that form over the Bay of Bengal frequently weaken after landfall but can still carry large amounts of moisture inland, producing heavy rain and gusty winds over central and northern India. Districts falling in the path of such systems are usually advised to secure loose structures and avoid unnecessary travel during peak wind and rain.
People in the affected districts are advised to rely on official IMD bulletins and district administration announcements for updates, and to report any emergency to local authorities.
