Andhra Pradesh braces for 11th very severe cyclonic storm

Fishermen secured their boats in Jalaripeta, a fishing village in Visakhapatnam, on Monday as cyclonic storm Arnab approached. | Photo credit: KR Deepak

Andhra Pradesh has experienced 61 cyclonic storms since 1970, but only a few have intensified into Very Severe Cyclonic Storms (VSCS). The state is now bracing for one such storm, Arnab, nearly eight years after Titli struck in October 2018.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) records of cyclonic storms that hit the Andhra Pradesh coast between 1970 and 2023, the state witnessed 10 very severe cyclonic storms during this period. Arnab would be 11th if he reaches this intensity.

The IMD classifies cyclonic storms based on their maximum sustained wind speed. A cyclonic storm has a wind speed of 62-88 km/h, a severe cyclonic storm 89-117 km/h and a very strong cyclonic storm 118-167 km/h. An extremely strong cyclonic storm has wind speeds of 168-221 km/h, while a supercyclonic storm has wind speeds in excess of 221 km/h.

The 10 previous VSCS events occurred in 1999, 2000, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2018. 2013 alone witnessed three such storms: Phailin in October, Lehar in November and Madi in December. In 2014, Hudhud caused widespread damage in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari districts.

According to a case study by C. Hari Kiran of the Andhra Pradesh State Development Planning Society (APSDPS), Hudhud recorded a wind speed of 181.6 kmph. Phailin was even more intense, with wind speeds of 200-210 km/h. Weather models suggest that Arnab may be less intense and its maximum wind speed is expected to be around 140 kmph.

The last very severe cyclonic storm to hit the state, according to IMD records, was Titli, which formed over the Bay of Bengal in October 2018 and made landfall near Palasa.

More recent cyclones, including Montha and Michaung, have been classified as severe cyclonic storms.

Published – 26 Oct 2026 20:35 IST