Cyclone Arnab struck India’s southeastern coast early Wednesday, resulting in at least three fatalities and widespread disruption before weakening later in the day, officials reported. The cyclone made landfall in Andhra Pradesh state as a “very severe cyclonic storm,” with sustained winds of 125 to 135 kilometers per hour (77 to 84 miles per hour) and gusts reaching up to 150 kph, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Heavy rainfall accompanied the storm, with some areas of Andhra Pradesh and neighboring Odisha recording nearly 30 centimeters (12 inches) of precipitation. By Wednesday afternoon, Cyclone Arnab had diminished in strength to a “deep depression.”

Narendra Singh Bundela, Inspector General of India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), confirmed three deaths and damage to 31 homes. In response to the cyclone, authorities evacuated roughly 50,000 residents in Andhra Pradesh and another 48,000 in Odisha to safer locations. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu commended the efforts of emergency personnel who worked through the night to manage the crisis.

In Kakinada, a port city near the cyclone’s center, residents experienced severe winds and torrential rains, with waves crashing along the shore. Despite widespread flooding and falling trees, damage in the city appeared relatively limited as people returned to assess conditions following the storm’s passage. Emergency teams were engaged in clearing debris from roads to restore access in affected coastal areas.

Local residents expressed relief as early warnings from authorities allowed many to evacuate or take shelter. Rajeshwari, a 65-year-old woman relocated to a government shelter near Kakinada, described the recurring hardships caused by storms inundating homes. Businessman Hussain, 43, acknowledged the damage was less severe than in previous events, while another resident, Sadiq, 40, underscored the seriousness of the situation during the storm’s peak but credited timely alerts for saving lives.

Cyclones are a frequent threat in the Bay of Bengal and northern Indian Ocean regions. This season’s cyclone activity has been intensified by the El Niño weather pattern, which has driven unusually high sea surface temperatures. Warnings were also issued in neighboring countries; Nepal’s disaster management authority cautioned that the storm’s inland movement could bring heavy rain, significant snowfall, snowstorms, and avalanche risks in the Himalayan region. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka maintained vigilance amid potential weather impacts linked to the system’s progress.