Cyclone Arnab: who named it, where it's headed, and how to stay safe

Who named it "Arnab"?

• The name was proposed by Bangladesh. It is pronounced "Ornab".
• It comes from the list of 169 names adopted in April 2020 by the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones: 13 names from each of 13 member countries (Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE, Yemen). Arnab sits in Column 3 of that list.
• IMD's RSMC New Delhi names a storm over the North Indian Ocean once its sustained winds reach 34 knots (62 km/h). Names are used in order, column by column, and are never reused.
• Rules for names: neutral to politics, political figures, religion, culture and gender; not offensive; max eight letters. So it is not named after any person.
• Other Bangladesh names on the same list: Nisarga, Biparjoy, Upakul (and later Barshon, Rajani, Nishith, Urmi).

Where is it headed?

As of IMD National Bulletin No. 15, 0230 IST, 27 Oct 2026

• Very Severe Cyclonic Storm over west-central Bay of Bengal, about 300 km south-east of Visakhapatnam and 360 km east-south-east of Kakinada.
• Forecast: cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of 28 Oct 2026, with sustained winds 115–125 km/h gusting to 140 km/h.
• IMD has issued a Red Message cyclone warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts.
• IMD Amaravati red alert for 27 Oct (as reported by The Hindu, 26 Oct 2026): isolated extremely heavy rain (200 mm+) likely in Kakinada, East Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, Alluri Sitharama Raju and Anakapalli.
• Live IMD cyclone updates (check the latest bulletin; do not treat any single page as final): mausam.imd.gov.in.

Telangana and Hyderabad

As of IMD special bulletin coverage and National Bulletin No. 15 (labelled below)

• Orange alert for 28 Oct in Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam and Mahabubabad; yellow alert in Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Suryapet, Warangal and Hanumakonda. For Hyderabad: "Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied with gusty winds are very likely." (The Hindu, 26 Oct 2026)
• IMD National Bulletin No. 15 (0230 IST, 27 Oct): "heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over eastern parts of Telangana on 28th October." (Bulletin No. 15)
• IMD press release (1405 IST, 26 Oct): thundersquall (50–60 km/h gusting to 70 km/h) likely over Telangana on 28 Oct. (IMD press release, 26 Oct 2026)

What to do now (NDMA guidance)

Before / now

• Charge phones; use SMS if calls fail. Write key numbers on paper.
• Keep documents and valuables in waterproof bags.
• Store ready-to-eat food and drinking water, medicines, torch and spare batteries.
• Tie down or bring in loose objects (tin sheets, sign-boards, pots) that can fly.
• Know your nearest safe shelter / high ground and the route to it. If officials tell you to evacuate, go early — don't wait.
• Fishermen: don't go to sea; tie boats up safely.

During

• Stay indoors. Switch off the electrical mains and gas.
• Keep doors and windows shut.
• Never stand under trees or electric poles.
• Beware the calm "eye": if the wind suddenly drops, it is NOT over; strong winds can return from the other direction. Wait for the official all-clear.
• Don't cross flowing floodwater on roads.

After

• Don't go out until officials say it's safe; avoid loose or dangling wires and damaged buildings.
• Drink boiled or chlorinated water.
• Get damaged electrical appliances checked before use. Report losses to the authorities.
• Ignore rumours; share only official updates.