Chhatrapur: Ahead of the approaching very severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’, Gopalpur Port in Odisha’s Ganjam district has taken precautionary measures to ensure the safety of fishermen and their boats.

As part of its preparedness, the port has provided safe shelter to 30 fishing boats from Andhra Pradesh and four from Odisha inside its harbour to protect them from adverse weather conditions.

Additionally, two large fishing boats from Andhra Pradesh have been safely accommodated at the Aryapalli fishing jetty. The 13 fishermen aboard these two boats have also been provided shelter.

According to Additional Fisheries Officer Debidatta Mohanty, around 250 fishermen are currently staying safely within the Gopalpur Port premises.

The port authorities have made necessary arrangements to safeguard fishermen and fishing vessels ahead of the cyclone. They have also assured full cooperation with the Ganjam district administration and other government agencies in managing the potential impact of the storm.

The port is continuing precautionary measures with the objective of ensuring zero casualties during the cyclone.

Cyclone Arnab approaching Andhra Pradesh coast

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), very severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal at 8.30 am on Tuesday, October 27. The system was located around 370 km south of Gopalpur, 220 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 240 km east-southeast of Kakinada.

The cyclone is likely to move west-northwestwards until Tuesday evening before turning northwestwards and crossing the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28.

The IMD has forecast maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 150 kmph, during landfall.

With the storm approaching the coast, authorities in Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh are maintaining heightened vigilance and taking precautionary steps to minimise risks to coastal communities.