Cyclone Arnab forms in the Bay of Bengal: red alert for Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha

How the storm developed

1. Oct 25

   A depression becomes a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal

2. Oct 26

   The deep depression intensifies into Cyclone Arnab

3. Oct 28

   Landfall forecast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam

The deep depression became a cyclonic storm named Arnab on Oct 26 and is forecast to become a very severe cyclonic storm.

India's weather department issued red alerts for extremely heavy rain in Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari and Eluru districts and Yanam. Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast along coastal Andhra Pradesh from Oct 27 to 29.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed evacuation plans and relief centres, and 10 National Disaster Response Force teams and 11 state teams are being deployed.