Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Flights cancelled, 180,000 evacuated as Cyclone Arnab reaches India Namita Singh Wednesday 28 October 2026 09:23 GMT Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks Close popover ( AFP/Getty ) Cyclone Arnab has made landfall on India's eastern coast, bringing powerful winds of up to 140kmph and torrential rain to Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha.
More than 180,000 people have been evacuated into over 2,000 emergency shelters, with no initial deaths reported across the affected states. The cyclone caused widespread travel disruption, leading to suspended operations at three airports, cancelled flights, and interrupted train routes. The India Meteorological Department warned of flash floods, severe storm surges, and coastal inundation in several low-lying districts. Safety warnings were also extended to Nepal, where tourists were advised against high-altitude travel due to incoming rain, snowstorms, and avalanches.
In full Cyclone Arnab makes landfall in India with 140kmph winds as 180,000 evacuated
The Independent reports Cyclone Arnab's landfall, the 180,000 evacuations, travel disruption and flood warnings accurately and in line with other coverage. It never says that warming makes intense tropical cyclones and their heavy rain more likely or more severe. A reader comes away with a weather event cut off from its cause.
Leaves out the climate link
Serious
“bringing powerful winds of up to 140kmph and torrential rain to Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha”
Why this matters
The Independent describes a powerful tropical cyclone with torrential rain, then goes on to flash floods, storm surge and coastal inundation in S7. Nowhere does it say that warming makes storms like this worse.
The impression it gives
A reader takes Cyclone Arnab as a natural hazard with no link to the warming climate.
The context
Human-caused warming has made intense tropical cyclones and heavy rainfall more frequent or more severe. The article contains no word on climate or warming, and one short sentence would have given the reader that fact.
How we know
On the recordThat warming has made hot extremes, heavy rainfall, agricultural and ecological drought, fire weather and intense tropical cyclones more frequent or more severe.ipcc.ch (opens in a new tab)
Checked against the whole articleIt never uses the words “climate” and “warming”.
Cyclone Arnab has made landfall on India's eastern coast, bringing winds of up to 140kmph and torrential rain to Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Climate change is making intense cyclones and the heavy rain they bring more likely.