Andhra Pradesh Braces for Another Severe Cyclone, Landfall Likely on November 3

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh is preparing for another powerful cyclone, with a severe cyclonic storm developing over the Bay of Bengal likely to make landfall along the state's southern coast by the morning of November 3.

The impending threat comes just days after very severe cyclonic storm 'Arnab' battered the state, leaving seven people dead and causing extensive damage to agriculture, roads and power and telecommunications infrastructure.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the weather system over the Southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression on Sunday morning. It is expected to strengthen further into a cyclonic storm within the next six hours and subsequently develop into a severe cyclonic storm over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal on November 2.

In its latest bulletin, the IMD said the system was moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 23 kmph during the six hours preceding 5.30 a.m. on November 1.

At that time, the deep depression was centred over the Southeast and adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal, approximately 700 km east-southeast of Chennai, 770 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 770 km southeast of Machilipatnam and 810 km east-southeast of Ongole.

The IMD has forecast that the system will continue moving west-northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur by the morning of November 3.

It is expected to make landfall as a severe cyclonic storm, packing sustained wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph.

The fresh weather warning has raised concerns across the coastal districts, which are still recovering from the destruction caused by Cyclone Arnab.

The very severe cyclonic storm crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapur in the early hours of October 28, bringing wind speeds of 125-135 kmph and gusts of up to 150 kmph.

The cyclone claimed seven lives and caused widespread damage to standing crops, roads, electricity networks and telecommunications infrastructure. Thousands of acres of agricultural land were affected, while hundreds of electricity poles and trees were uprooted.

Preliminary estimates have put the financial losses caused by Arnab at around Rs 4,600 crore.

A central government team is currently visiting Andhra Pradesh to assess the damage and evaluate the extent of losses caused by the previous cyclone.

With another severe weather system approaching within days, the state faces the challenge of managing fresh cyclone-related risks while continuing relief and restoration operations in areas affected by Arnab.

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