Guwahati, Oct. 26 -- The Centre has stepped up disaster preparedness as Cyclone Arnab is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast as a very severe cyclonic storm, with wind speeds gusting up to 140 kmph, by the forenoon of October 28.

Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on Monday to review preparations and direct central and state agencies to prioritise the protection of lives, minimise damage to property and infrastructure, and ensure the swift restoration of essential services.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed the committee that a deep depression over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal had intensified into Cyclone Arnab.

At 5.30 a...