Five people were killed as Cyclone Arnab brought destructive winds and torrential rain; 180,000 people were evacuated before the storm hit

A “very severe” cyclone slammed into India’s east coast on Wednesday, killing at least five people as winds of up to 150 kph uprooted trees and knocked out power. More than 180,000 people were evacuated before the storm hit.

Cyclone Arnab crossed the coast of Andhra Pradesh state near Yanam between 2 and 8 AM, with sustained winds of 125-135 kph. It weakened to a “severe” cyclone after moving inland, the India Meteorological Department said.

Satellite images show Arnab’s broad cloud bands stretching across large parts of eastern and southern India. Although its winds weakened after landfall, the authorities warned that heavy rainfall could continue through Thursday, raising the risk of further flooding.

The six-hour landfall battered coastal districts, including Kakinada, Konaseema, and West Godavari.…