Severe Cyclone Arnab Batters Eastern India as Minas Gerais Faces Storm Alerts

Severe weather conditions have impacted international regions, highlighted by a powerful tropical cyclone striking the eastern coast of India and widespread meteorological alerts issued across the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil.

In eastern India, Cyclone Arnab made landfall on Wednesday, bringing intense rainfall and destructive winds that reached speeds of approximately 125 km/h with gusts up to 140 km/h. Moving inland from the Bay of Bengal, the severe cyclonic storm severely impacted the state of Andhra Pradesh.

According to local authorities, the extreme weather event resulted in at least six deaths, damaged numerous homes, and destroyed agricultural crops. High-ranking disaster response officials noted that Andhra Pradesh bore the brunt of the disaster, with fatalities attributed to structural collapses and electrocution.

The severe weather caused widespread infrastructure damage, leaving power supplies interrupted across multiple coastal areas. State leadership reported that approximately 15,000 power poles were damaged, and emergency teams were deployed to clear fallen trees from roads and assist affected residents.

Ahead of the storm's arrival, authorities evacuated more than 180,000 individuals across Andhra Pradesh and neighboring Odisha. Educational institutions were temporarily closed, and transportation services, including flights and train operations along the eastern coast, faced cancellations.

Meanwhile, domestic weather authorities in Brazil issued an orange alert for 273 municipalities in Minas Gerais, warning of potential hazards such as heavy rainfall, strong winds, and hail. The meteorological institute cautioned residents about the risks of electrical outages, structural damage, and localized flooding through Thursday evening.

Civil defense and fire departments in the Brazilian state urged the public to take precautions during wind gusts, advising citizens to avoid seeking shelter under trees and to stay clear of transmission towers and advertising billboards. Officials recommended disconnecting electrical appliances when possible as the storm system moved through the region.