The Odisha government has evacuated more than 30,000 people to safety as its southern districts remain on high alert after Arnab made landfall in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday morning.
A yellow alert was issued for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds in several southern districts.
Alerts were issued in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur and Cuttack.
Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty surface winds of 30-40 kmph with gusts reaching 50 kmph can be expected.
Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said that Malkangiri is the district that will bear the brunt of the impact from the cyclone.
"The cyclone is presently within Andhra Pradesh, and it will later in the afternoon touch Odisha," Pujari stated.
After making landfall, the cyclone weakened to a severe cyclonic storm.
The weather system is expected to track north-northwestward toward Chhattisgarh over the next 48 hours and weaken gradually.
The cyclone is currently situated about 20 km east northeast of Narsapur, 40 km southweat of Yanam and 60 km southweat of kakinada.
IMD said that the storm will weaken to a cyclonic storm during the next 6 hours and further into a deep depression.
IG Fire and Emergency Services Umashankar Dash told PTI the effects of the cyclone were noticed at various places.
The cyclone's impacts have been severe in Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada districts. Wind speeds have increased.
“Cyclone Arnab made landfall early this morning, and due to its impact at various places, rainfall and heavy rainfall have been noticed. Wind speed has also increased, particularly in three districts, Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada, where the impact has been a little on the higher side,” Dash said.
Trees fell over at several placed blocking roads and disruption communication networks and road connectivity. Houses were also impacted after trees fell on them.
Emergency teams are working to clear the roads and restore connectivity. About 2,037 cyclone shelters are kept ready with arrangements for food, drinkign, water and other essential facilities.
