Cyclone "Arnab" made landfall on India's east coast, killing 3 people and damaging farmland and infrastructure amid growing concerns about extreme weather threatening data center investments.
On 28 Oct 2026, India's Meteorological Department reported that Cyclone "Arnab" struck the country's east coast with strong gusts and heavy rain, causing 3 fatalities and flooding approximately 506,000 rai of farmland. Reports indicated the storm also toppled power poles and blocked multiple roads. Although wind speeds eased after landfall, heavy rainfall continued to pose a serious threat to the country's interior areas.
Meteorologists said higher-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the Bay of Bengal helped intensify Cyclone Arnab. Climate experts warned that the storm's landfall in a coastal region with billions of dollars invested in building data centers highlights the risks extreme weather poses both to people's lives and to critical infrastructure essential for future economic growth.
Authorities expect it may take several days or weeks to fully assess all damages. Data from the Climate Risk Index by Germanwatch research institute shows India ranks among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change impacts. Between 1995 and 2024, the country suffered total damages amounting to 170 billion U.S. dollars.
Source: AP