From Indiatoday · · 1m 30s
Two cyclones in less than 7 days
India's east coast faces rapid cyclone succession: Can it recover between strikes?
In brief
India's east coast faces rapid cyclone succession: Can it recover between strikes? India's east coast must recover essential services between cyclones after two systems hit within a week. Originally reported by Indiatoday.
Cyclone Arnab strikes
Cyclone Arnab made landfall on August 28, 2026, after 180,000 people were evacuated across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
“Cyclone Arnab struck after 1.8 lakh people were evacuated, with another system threatening Andhra Pradesh within a week.”
Rapid cyclone succession
Less than a week after Cyclone Arnab, another system threatens Andhra Pradesh's coast.
“Cyclone Arnab struck after 1.8 lakh people were evacuated, with another system threatening Andhra Pradesh within a week.”
East coast preparedness
India's east coast has spent over a decade building cyclone-warning systems, weather radars, evacuation shelters and disaster-response teams.
“India’s east coast has spent more than a decade building a network of cyclone-warning systems, weather radars, evacuation shelters and disaster-response teams to reduce the damage caused by powerful storms.”
IMD radar network
The IMD uses eight Doppler Weather Radars across the east coast to track cyclones and heavy rainfall.
“According to the IMD's 2025 annual report, the east coast has eight radar locations: Chennai, Kolkata, Machilipatnam, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Gopalpur, Sriharikota and Karaikal.”
Andhra Pradesh dashboard
Andhra Pradesh uses a Cyclone Information Management System to map vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure.
“Andhra Pradesh has developed a Cyclone Information Management System that brings together information on storm tracks, landfall probabilities, vulnerable populations, shelters, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure.”
Odisha's warning system
Odisha covers 1,205 villages with early-warning towers and satellite communication for coastal alerts.
“The system covers 1,205 villages across 22 blocks in six coastal districts. It includes 122 alert towers located within 1.5 kilometres of the coastline, along with satellite-based communication and digital radio links connecting state, district and block-level emergency centres.”
Tamil Nadu's drainage
Chennai expands stormwater drainage to manage monsoon flooding and waterlogging.
“In Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation has been expanding and maintaining its stormwater drainage network. The city is particularly vulnerable because of its low elevation, flat terrain and proximity to the sea.”
National cyclone project
India's National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project covered Andhra Pradesh and Odisha by December 2018.
“The project involved early-warning systems, multipurpose cyclone shelters, evacuation roads and bridges, saline embankments, underground electrical cabling and training for disaster management.”
Climate change impact
Rising ocean heat content increases cyclone intensity and rapid intensification risk.
“Research examining Cyclones Amphan, Yaas and Mocha has highlighted the role of ocean heat content and water-column conditions in storm intensification.”
Recovery challenge
Shelters must be stocked, roads cleared, and power restored between cyclones to prevent repeated damage.
“Shelters must be stocked and maintained, roads cleared, power restored, hospitals replenished and fishing communities supported.”
Next test for east coast
India's east coast must recover essential services between cyclones to handle rapid succession.
“The next test for India's east coast, therefore, is not just whether it can predict a cyclone or evacuate people before landfall. It is whether the region can sustain that response when storms arrive in quick succession.”
The headline
India's east coast must recover essential services between cyclones after two systems hit within a week.
