Three dead and thousands evacuated as Cyclone Arnab hits eastern India

Cyclone Arnab brought heavy rain and widespread disruption to India’s eastern state of Andhra Pradesh, with officials reporting three deaths and thousands of evacuations. In Visakhapatnam, two women were electrocuted in separate incidents, and another person died after a tree fell in East Godavari. Wind speeds reached up to 84 mph, and authorities said the storm weakened slightly before landfall earlier on Wednesday, though intense rainfall and strong winds continued, including under influence along the coast. The Konaseema district was described as the worst hit so far, with banana and coconut plantations damaged, trees and electricity poles uprooted, and around 6,000 poles down in Konaseema alone. About 89,000 people were evacuated, more than 2,000 cyclone shelters set up, and train services were cancelled. Over 12 million people live along the expected path. Odisha and Nepal also prepared evacuations and warnings.