Cyclone Arnab threatens Andhra coast; heavy rain alert for five Kerala districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is likely to receive heavy rainfall on Tuesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow alert for five districts — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki. Isolated heavy rainfall is forecast in these districts.
Heavy rainfall refers to precipitation ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm within 24 hours.

The very severe cyclonic storm Arnab is currently positioned over the central-western Bay of Bengal. It is expected to move west-northwestwards on Tuesday evening before continuing in a northwesterly direction.

The cyclone is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam before noon on October 28. It may make landfall as a very severe cyclonic storm, with wind speeds reaching up to 150 kmph in gusts, according to the latest forecast.

Under the influence of the weather system, isolated parts of Kerala are likely to experience heavy rainfall on Tuesday. The IMD has also forecast thunderstorms accompanied by rain and strong winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph.