Schools closed tomorrow in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha amid Cyclone Arnab

Cyclone Arnab has prompted school closures across affected districts in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The district-led orders underline that no nationwide school holiday has been announced.

In Short

• IMD expects landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam during October 28 forenoon
• Winds may reach 125 kmph, with gusts touching 140 kmph
• Anakapalli ordered a three-day break from October 27 to 29

Cyclone Arnab is approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, and school closures have been announced in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as authorities prepare for its expected landfall on October 28. The India Meteorological Department has forecast that the system will cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam around the forenoon of October 28. It is expected to bring strong winds and heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in affected areas.

There is no nationwide holiday for schools on October 28. Closures are being decided by state and district authorities according to local weather conditions and safety requirements. Students and parents should therefore rely on notices issued by their schools and district administrations.

ANDHRA PRADESH SCHOOLS CLOSED IN 10 DISTRICTS

In Andhra Pradesh, schools in 10 districts have been ordered to remain closed as a precaution ahead of the cyclone. The districts are East Godavari, Kakinada, Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema, Krishna, NTR, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Eluru, Anakapalli and Polavaram.

Most of these districts have announced a holiday for October 27 and 28. Anakapalli has ordered schools to remain closed for three days, from October 27 to 29. The orders apply to schools under all managements in the affected districts.

The closures have been announced as the state prepares for heavy rainfall, strong winds and possible waterlogging. School buildings identified for use as cyclone shelters may also be placed under local administrative arrangements.

ODISHA ANNOUNCES CLOSURES

Odisha has also ordered educational institutions to remain closed in districts expected to face the impact of the cyclone. According to the latest state-level information, schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur will remain closed on October 28 and 29.

District collectors in other parts of the state may take decisions on closures according to local weather conditions. Odisha is preparing for heavy rain and strong winds even though the cyclone is expected to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast.

There is no confirmation of a state-wide school holiday in Tamil Nadu for October 28. Any closure there remains dependent on district-level decisions and local weather conditions.

Similarly, there is no basis for treating October 28 as a school holiday across India. Parents and students should check official notices before travelling to school, particularly in areas under weather warnings.

The IMD has forecast winds of 115–125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, when Cyclone Arnab crosses the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts. Further school closure orders may follow if weather conditions change. For the present, the confirmed closures are limited to areas where local authorities have issued orders.

Officials may revise these orders as the cyclone moves closer.

- Ends