Andaman schools shut on October 27; Odisha districts on October 28, 29 amid ‘Cyclone Arnab’

Schools and educational institutions in various parts of India will remain closed as authorities step up precautionary measures ahead of Cyclone Arnab, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to coastal regions.

The Andaman and Nicobar administration has ordered all schools to remain closed for students on October 26 and 27. In Odisha, schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in six southern districts will remain closed on October 28 and 29 due to the expected impact of the cyclone.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday that a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal had intensified into Cyclone Arnab. The system is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts as a very severe cyclonic storm by the forenoon of October 28, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115–125 kmph and gusts reaching 140 kmph.

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Cyclone Arnab: Districts affected by school closures

In Odisha, the closure applies to educational institutions in districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur on October 28 and 29. The state government has also prohibited fishing activities in the sea and restricted tourist access to hills, waterfalls and dams in these districts.

The Odisha administration has deployed disaster response teams in vulnerable areas and is shifting people living in low-lying areas and thatched houses to shelters. Authorities have asked students and parents to follow official announcements for further updates on school closures.

Officials have also made arrangements to move pregnant women to health centres in advance. Meanwhile, the Andaman and Nicobar administration has also advised fishermen not to venture into the Bay of Bengal, warning that sea conditions will be extremely rough.

With inputs from PTI