Cyclone Arnab made landfall on India’s east coast in Andhra Pradesh as a very severe cyclonic storm, with sustained winds of 125 to 135kph and gusts of up to 150kph, the India Meteorological Department said.
The storm struck the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. Authorities told about 50,000 people in Andhra Pradesh and 48,000 in Odisha to move to safer areas ahead of its arrival.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said protecting every life was the state’s top priority.
In the port city of Kakinada, close to the centre of the storm, strong winds rocked trees as heavy rain fell and large waves crashed ashore. Residents had been told to stock up on food.
Neighbouring Sri Lanka and Nepal also issued weather warnings.