India evacuates thousands as Cyclone Arnab makes landfall

India has launched a major evacuation operation as Cyclone Arnab made landfall, with tens of thousands of residents moved from coastal and vulnerable areas to safety. The storm has triggered widespread precautionary measures across the region as it pushes inland with potentially significant destructive force.

Sri Lanka has taken preventative action by closing schools in anticipation of heavy rainfall and associated hazards. Authorities there have warned of the dangers posed by flash flooding and mudslides as the cyclone's moisture-laden systems move across the island nation, affecting both lowland and hilly terrain.

As Cyclone Arnab continues its trajectory northward, neighbouring Nepal has issued alerts for mountainous regions, where the system threatens to trigger avalanches in the higher Himalayan elevations. The convergence of the cyclone's moisture with the terrain's elevation poses significant risks to communities in vulnerable mountain areas.

The evacuation efforts underscore the region's vulnerability to cyclonic systems during monsoon season, with governments prioritising the movement of populations from exposed coastal zones and flood-prone areas. Emergency services across the affected nations remain on heightened alert as the storm's path and intensity are continuously monitored.