Cyclone Arnab made landfall on India’s east coast on Wednesday morning. The “very severe” cyclonic storm has now weakened into a “severe” cyclonic storm after crossing the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts.

The powerful cyclone uprooted several trees and power poles, triggering power outages in several areas. More than 1,80,000 people were evacuated in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha before its arrival.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the landfall process is complete, with the weather system moving entirely over land.

How did Cyclone Arnab form and what role did El Niño — the abnormal warming of the Pacific Ocean’s surface waters — play in its intensification?…