NDRF Deploys 31 Teams Across States as Cyclone Arnab Intensifies; Andhra Pradesh Prepares 2,131 Shelters

NDRF Deputy Inspector General Mohsen Shahedi said a coordination meeting was held under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday, followed by a meeting chaired by the Cabinet Secretary on Monday to finalise the preparedness strategy.

“NDRF teams have been deployed across the states and Union Territories likely to be affected, including Andhra Pradesh, the Union Territory of Yanam, Odisha, Telangana and Chhattisgarh. A total of 31 NDRF teams were requested, and they have now been deployed,” Shahedi told IANS.

Cyclone expected to cross Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Arnab is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam on Wednesday, October 28.

Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain indoors as wind speeds increase and move to the nearest cyclone shelter if instructed by officials.

The IMD has forecast very rough to phenomenal sea conditions, with a storm surge of 1 to 2 metres expected around landfall. The surge is forecast to be highest in the areas near Kakinada and Yanam.

The storm is also expected to affect other regions, including Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, prompting authorities to strengthen preparedness and response arrangements.

Andhra Pradesh sets up 2,131 cyclone shelters

Andhra Pradesh authorities have established 2,131 cyclone shelters across 20 districts as part of preparations for the storm.

Mobile alerts have reportedly been sent to approximately 2.07 crore subscribers across 18 districts, while swell and storm-surge warnings have been issued to around 6.9 lakh subscribers in coastal areas.

Twelve NDRF teams and 10 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed across 14 districts, with one team each from the NDRF and SDRF kept in reserve.

Authorities have also directed fishermen to stay away from the sea until October 29. Officials said all 30,043 fishing boats had returned to shore, while ports have hoisted cautionary signals as a precaution.

Odisha warns against misleading cyclone forecasts

Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) in Odisha issued an advisory on Monday cautioning against the circulation of false, misleading and speculative forecasts about the cyclone through media outlets and digital platforms.

The SRC said some individuals and self-described weather experts had been sharing unverified predictions about the cyclone’s path, potential landfall locations, timing and likely impact without adequate scientific validation or reference to official IMD forecasts.

The advisory warned that sensationalised or unverified information could trigger public panic and lead to premature harvesting of crops, panic buying, hoarding, artificial shortages and price increases.

It also cautioned that conflicting warnings could confuse residents and undermine coordinated government efforts related to preparedness, evacuation and emergency response.

The SRC said it works with the IMD and other relevant authorities to issue official disaster advisories and coordinate preparedness, evacuation and response measures across Odisha.

Authorities have urged the public to rely on official weather bulletins and government advisories as preparations continue ahead of the cyclone’s expected landfall.