Cyclone Arnab crosses Andhra coast, likely to weaken

Cyclone Arnab, which intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal, crossed the coast of India’s Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday morning and is expected to weaken gradually while moving northwest, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

In a special weather bulletin issued on Wednesday, the BMD said the storm had moved west-northwest before completing its landfall. It was then positioned over Andhra Pradesh and adjoining coastal areas.

The latest reports confirm that Arnab made landfall early Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to parts of eastern India. Indian authorities evacuated more than 180,000 people across Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha. No deaths had been reported in the initial updates, although trees, electricity poles and homes were damaged and transport services disrupted

Although the cyclone has moved away from the Bay of Bengal, deep convective clouds are developing over the northern Bay, raising the possibility of squally or gusty winds over the maritime ports and adjoining coastal areas.

The BMD has advised the Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra maritime ports to maintain local warning signal No. 3.

Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the northern Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

Meanwhile, the regular weather forecast for the 24 hours from 9:00am on Wednesday said rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds could affect one or two places in the divisions of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet.

A mild heatwave was sweeping over the Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, as well as the districts of Pabna, Sirajganj, Cumilla, Chandpur, Feni, Lakshmipur, Bhola and Barishal. The heatwave may subside, the forecast said.

Day and night temperatures may fall slightly across the country, according to the BMD.