The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued widespread rainfall alerts across central and eastern India as Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab weakened into a depression. The system, which brought torrential rains to several regions, is now centered over south Chhattisgarh and adjoining south Odisha as of October 29, 2026.
Cyclone Arnab's Path and Impact
Moving northwards at approximately 18 kmph, the depression was located roughly 40 km north-northwest of Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, at 08:30 IST on October 29. It is anticipated to continue its northward movement and further weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area over North Chhattisgarh and adjoining Northwest Odisha by the evening of October 29.
Over the past 24 hours leading up to the morning of October 29, the system triggered widespread rainfall across north Andhra Pradesh, northeast Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal. Isolated areas in South Odisha and North Andhra Pradesh experienced extremely heavy rainfall, with some locations recording over 21 cm.
Torrential Downpours Recorded
Southern Odisha bore the brunt of exceptional rainfall:
- Patrapur (Ganjam district): 546 mm (55 cm)
- Sorada (Ganjam district): 503 mm (50 cm)
- G. Udayagiri (Kandhamal): 462 mm (46 cm)
- Mahendragarh (Gajapati): 458 mm (46 cm)
Coastal Andhra Pradesh also saw significant rainfall, including Ichchapuram (Srikakulam) with 24 cm and Sompeta with 22 cm. Doppler Weather Radars in Raipur and Sambalpur are continuously monitoring the system.
Delhi-NCR Weather Forecast
Simultaneously, Northwest India is experiencing active weather due to western disturbances. For Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi, the IMD forecasts fairly widespread to widespread rainfall on October 29 and 30. This will be accompanied by thundersqualls, with wind speeds potentially reaching 50-60 kmph and gusting up to 70 kmph, along with isolated hailstorm activity.
Delhi-NCR received moderate rainfall on the morning of October 29, prompting a yellow alert. Cloudy skies, rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds are expected to persist. Isolated hailstorms are likely in Delhi, Haryana, and Chandigarh on October 30. Rainfall activity is projected to taper off, with isolated showers on October 31, before conditions turn completely dry heading into November.
Emerging System and Safety Warnings
In addition to the overland depression, a separate low-pressure area was observed over the south Andaman Sea. This system is forecast to move west-northwestwards, intensifying into a well-marked low-pressure area within 24 hours and subsequently concentrating into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal in the following 24 hours.
Authorities have warned of potential localized flooding, flash floods, and disruptions to road and rail traffic across vulnerable watersheds in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, and Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Fishermen have been strongly advised to avoid the northwest Bay of Bengal, the West Bengal coast, and the Andaman Sea until October 31.