Cyclone Arnab: Schools, Colleges and Anganwadi Centres Closed in Kendrapara, Kandhamal

Bhubaneswar: All schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in Kendrapara and Kandhamal districts will remain closed on Wednesday, October 28, in view of the approaching severe cyclonic storm Arnab and the forecast of heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

The closure has been ordered by the respective District Collectors as a precautionary measure following the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) weather warning. However, staff have been directed to remain present at their respective institutions.

According to the IMD bulletin issued on Tuesday, the very severe cyclonic storm Arnab over the westcentral Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards at a speed of around 20 kmph. At 11.30 am, the system was centred near latitude 16.2°N and longitude 83.7°E, about 170 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 370 km south-southwest of Gopalpur.

The storm was forecast to move west-northwestwards until Tuesday evening and then northwestwards, crossing the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28.

At the time of the bulletin, the IMD forecast maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph, with gusts reaching 150 kmph, during landfall.

The system is being continuously monitored by the Doppler Weather Radar at Visakhapatnam. The IMD has issued a red warning for several districts of Odisha, including southern and coastal areas, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall, extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places and gusty winds.

The district administrations have taken precautionary measures in view of the forecast and urged people to follow official advisories.