Cyclonic Storm 'Arnab': Cabinet Secretary chairs NCMC review as storm heads for Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast
On 26 October 2026, Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan chaired a National Crisis Management Committee meeting on Cyclonic Storm 'Arnab', which IMD expects to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm by the forenoon of 28 October.
Summary
Cabinet Secretary Dr T.V. Somanathan chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on 26 October 2026 to review preparedness for Cyclonic Storm 'Arnab' over the Bay of Bengal. IMD said that at 0530 IST the storm lay about 590 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram and 650 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, and was likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm with winds of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph by the forenoon of 28 October. Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry briefed the committee, and fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea from 26 to 29 October. The Cabinet Secretary set the goal of zero loss of life.
Key facts
- Storm
- Cyclonic Storm 'Arnab'
- Basin
- Bay of Bengal
- Review body
- National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC)
- Chaired by
- Cabinet Secretary Dr T.V. Somanathan
- Date
- 26 October 2026
- Expected landfall
- Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam
- Expected intensity
- Very severe cyclonic storm, 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph
- Expected time
- By forenoon of 28 October 2026
- States/UT briefed
- Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Puducherry
- Fishing advisory
- No venturing into sea 26-29 October
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Who chaired the National Crisis Management Committee meeting held on 26 October 2026 to review preparedness for Cyclonic Storm 'Arnab'?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan
In October 2026, IMD forecast that Cyclonic Storm 'Arnab' would cross the coast between which two places?
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Correct answer: C — Bapatla and Visakhapatnam
Yanam, whose coast was in the forecast path of Cyclonic Storm 'Arnab' in October 2026, is part of which Union Territory?
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Correct answer: D — Puducherry