Bhubaneswar, Oct. 27 -- Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast around noon on Wednesday, October 28.

Odisha has reportedly stepped up preparations as 294 rescue teams have been deployed across the possible affected areas in the state.

The cyclone is currently 380 km from Gopalpur and 300 km from Visakhapatnam. It is moving west-north-westwards at 25 kmph and has maintained this speed over the past six hours. Wind speeds over the sea range between 125 and 135 kmph, with gusts reaching upto 150 kmph.

The IMD expects the wind speeds to reach 140 kmph when the cyclone crosses the And...