Thousands of residents in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have been evacuated to safety as Cyclone Arnab intensifies into a severe storm heading toward an early landfall near Visakhapatnam with destructive winds, prompting widespread cancellations of flights and trains alongside massive government emergency preparations.

Thousands of residents in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have been evacuated to safety as Cyclone Arnab intensifies into a severe storm heading toward an early landfall near Visakhapatnam with destructive winds, prompting widespread cancellations of flights and trains alongside massive government emergency preparations.

Thousands of residents in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have been evacuated to safety as Cyclone Arnab intensifies into a severe storm heading toward an early landfall near Visakhapatnam with destructive winds, prompting widespread cancellations of flights and trains alongside massive government emergency preparations.

Thousands of people in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha were evacuated to cyclone shelters and safer locations on Tuesday as Cyclone Arnab intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm. 

Moving at a speed of 20 kmph, the outer spiral band of the cyclone has already entered the land. It was set to make an early landfall near Visakhapatnam in the wee hours of Wednesday, according to the weatherman.

The India Meteorological Department, in its 5.30 pm bulletin, said the cyclone was hurtling towards the Andhra coast at a very high speed, with an early landfall between 2 am and 4 am on October 28.

"During landfall in Andhra Pradesh, wind speed would be at 125 kmph to 135 kmph and gusting up to 150 kmph. The southern Odisha coast will experience wind speeds of 60 kmph to 80 kmph. Wind at this velocity can cause major property damage," said IMD Director General Mrunjay Mohapatra.

The weather system is located about 90 km southeast of Kakinada, 170 km south to southwest of Visakhapatnam, 170 km east to northeast of Machilipatnam, 240 km east to northeast of Bapatla and 410 km southwest of Gopalpur, according to IMD.

At least 21 flights have been cancelled at Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam airports on Tuesday while 15 flights at Vijayawada have been cancelled for Wednesday.

At least 50 trains have been cancelled ahead of the landfall. These include 24 trains under South Coast Railway, 22 under East Coast Railway and four under South Eastern Railway.

A total of 4,000 cyclone shelters have been set up in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The Andhra government has set up 2,131 cyclone shelters in the coastal districts besides 1,087 medical teams, 1,274 ambulances and 8,281 emergency beds. At least 1,351 pregnant women have been moved to hospitals as a precaution, said officials.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the government aims to avoid the loss of even a single life in the disaster. He said more than 84,000 people have been moved to cyclone shelters. 

"Our idea is only one; not even losing a single life. Saving all lives is our priority. There is no need for people to panic but they have to take precautions," Naidu said.

Odisha has closed schools in 16 of its 30 districts. More than 30,000 people have been moved to cyclone shelters, according to officials.

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