Cyclone Arnab has strengthened into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal and is forecast to make landfall on India's eastern coast this Wednesday. After making landfall, the storm is expected to cut inland and head north toward Nepal.
Indian authorities have evacuated tens of thousands of people from vulnerable coastal areas in the eastern state of Andhra Pradesh. While nearly 50,000 people have already been moved to shelters, authorities indicate that 400,000 people are in need of evacuation. Orders to move inland or take shelter have been issued in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, and weather warnings have also been issued in neighboring Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Late Tuesday, the storm brought gusting winds and heavy rain to several coastal areas. Authorities forecast winds of 115kmh to 125kmh, with gusts reaching up to 140kmh.