The Cabinet Secretary, Dr. T. V. Somanathan, chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on October 26, 2026, to review preparedness for Cyclone Arnab developing in the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department reported that the deep depression had intensified into cyclonic storm 'ARNAB' and was centered approximately 590 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman Islands), 650 km east-southeast of Vishakhapatnam, 730 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 830 km east of Machilipatnam, and 910 km east of Bapatla at 0530 hours IST.
The cyclone is forecast to move west-northwestwards until October 27 and then northwestwards toward the Andhra Pradesh coast. It is expected to cross between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm by the forenoon of October 28, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph. The storm will subsequently affect districts in Telangana, southern Odisha, south and central Chhattisgarh, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
Chief Secretaries and senior officials from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and the Union Territory of Puducherry reported that adequate shelters and evacuation arrangements have been prepared, with necessary NDRF and SDRF teams kept on standby. District Control Rooms have been activated to monitor the situation. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Southwest and adjoining central Bay of Bengal and along the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Yanam from October 26 to 29, with those already at sea having returned.
Central ministries and departments confirmed that all Standard Operating Procedures are in place, necessary guidelines have been issued, and precautionary measures are being implemented to minimize damage. NDRF has deployed teams with additional teams on standby, while rescue and relief teams of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard, along with ships and aircraft, have been kept ready. The Indian Coast Guard has shepherded multiple ships/boats to jetties/shore and alerted remaining ships to return to coast. The Ministry of Home Affairs, NDMA, and IMD are continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant agencies.
The Cabinet Secretary stressed the objective of ensuring zero loss of life and minimizing damage to property and infrastructure, with essential services to be restored quickly after any damage. He additionally directed that Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar should be suitably alerted by MHA/IMD due to expected high rainfall.