Dhaka, Oct. 27 -- The very severe cyclonic storm "Arnab" is churning towards the coast of India's Andhra Pradesh, packing wind speeds of up to 150km per hour.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system is tracking further west-northwestwards and is expected to cross the Andhra and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by Wednesday afternoon.

With the sea remaining very rough near the centre of the storm, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has advised the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra to hoist local cautionary signal No. 3.

A special weather bulletin said the cyclone was centred 1,130km south-west of Chittagong Port, 1,095km south-west of Cox's Bazar, 965km south-west...