Guwahati: Cyclone Arnab remained nearly stationary off the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning, prolonging its landfall process and bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds and widespread disruption to coastal districts, including Konaseema, where trees were uprooted and roads were blocked.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its 6.30 am bulletin on October 28, said the landfall process was expected to continue for another two hours. The system was positioned over the west-central Bay of Bengal near latitude 16.4°N and longitude 82.0°E, close to the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts.

The cyclone’s centre was located about 30 km east of Narsapur, 45 km south-southwest of Yanam and 70 km south-southwest of Kakinada. It was also about 90 km east-northeast of Machilipatnam and 120 km south-southeast of Tuni.

The system was packing sustained winds of 115-125 kmph, with gusts reaching 140 kmph. The IMD said the cyclone is likely to move slowly northwestwards initially before turning north-northwestwards.

The landfall zone was identified between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, south of Yanam. The weather agency warned that winds of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, could continue across the affected coastal areas for the next two to three hours before gradually weakening.

A storm surge of 1.0-1.5 metres above the astronomical tide was also forecast to inundate low-lying coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh. The warning came as heavy rain and strong winds continued to affect settlements and transport routes along the coast.

In Konaseema district, several trees were uprooted by strong winds, disrupting movement in affected areas. Kakinada also reported fallen trees, damaged power lines and flooding caused by heavy rain and seawater entering low-lying localities. Roads in parts of Visakhapatnam were blocked by uprooted trees, while several areas faced prolonged power disruptions.

Rainfall remained intense across parts of the eastern coast. IMD observatories recorded 216.9 mm in Visakhapatnam, 147.5 mm in Kalingapatnam, 123.3 mm in Tuni, 118.4 mm in Kakinada and 115.2 mm in Machilipatnam between 8.30 am on October 27 and 5.30 am on October 28. Narsapur recorded 48.6 mm, Bapatla 15.9 mm and Ongole 0.4 mm during the same period.

The IMD also reported 94 mm of rainfall in Gopalpur and 72 mm in Puri in observations for the period ending at 5.30 am on Wednesday.

In Kakinada, police rescued four people stranded in floodwaters near the Bombay Katta area after heavy rain and seawater inundated the locality. The four had reported for duty in the morning but were unable to leave their accommodation after floodwaters surrounded the premises. Police responded to their request for assistance and safely took them home.

Three other people were reported stranded at the Central Water Commission godowns at Kakinada Anchorage Port, where rainwater and seawater flooded the premises and disrupted electricity. Personnel on the night shift were unable to leave the facility.

Several other people were stranded in Kakinada as transport services were disrupted and fallen trees blocked roads. Police advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from flooded areas. Those needing emergency assistance were asked to contact Dial 112 or the Kakinada Police Control Room.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation in cyclone-affected areas during a teleconference with officials on Wednesday morning. He directed authorities to clear uprooted trees promptly and restore electricity once weather conditions permitted.

Officials informed the chief minister that power supply had been suspended in affected areas as a precautionary measure. Naidu also instructed authorities to take steps to prevent tanks and canals from overflowing amid continued rainfall.

The state School Education Department had converted 609 schools into rehabilitation centres, accommodating 854 people across Andhra Pradesh as of 5.50 am on Wednesday.

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority continued to monitor the cyclone and its impact on coastal districts, while the IMD said it would issue further updates as the system progressed.