A powerful cyclone crossed India's eastern coastline this week, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds that forced widespread school closures and disrupted daily life across several states.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Wednesday, with the coastal city of Kakinada among the areas affected by the storm's impact. Images from the area showed damage to property and infrastructure as residents dealt with the aftermath of the storm's passage.
In response, authorities in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha declared school closures across multiple districts as heavy rain and the risk of flooding continued into Thursday. In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, further south, officials expected regular classes to largely continue as rain activity eased in those areas, reflecting how the storm's most serious effects were concentrated along the coastline closer to where it made landfall.
Cyclones are a regular seasonal hazard along India's eastern coast, particularly in the lead-up to winter, and state governments in the region have developed increasingly coordinated disaster response systems over the past decade, including early evacuation plans and close coordination between meteorological authorities and local officials. The closures and precautions taken this week reflect that established playbook for responding to severe coastal storms.
Watch for updated assessments of flooding and infrastructure damage in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as authorities evaluate the storm's full impact in the coming days.
Which areas were hit hardest?
The Andhra Pradesh coast, including the city of Kakinada, bore the brunt of the storm, while Odisha also saw significant rain and school closures.
Is this a typical time of year for cyclones in this region?
Yes, India's eastern coast regularly experiences cyclones during this part of the year, and state governments have established disaster response systems to manage them.