Antarvedi, Oct 28: A cargo vessel carrying sulphur has run aground near Antarvedi along the Andhra Pradesh coast after reportedly losing engine power and drifting off course amid severe weather conditions associated with Cyclone Arnab.
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According to port officials, the vessel was sailing from Visakhapatnam when its engine reportedly failed, leaving it vulnerable to strong winds and rough seas before it ran aground. Maritime authorities are monitoring the situation, and an inspection will determine the vessel’s condition and the next course of action, MMD Surveyor Dharmasastha said on Wednesday.
The incident comes as Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system crossed the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, southwest of Yanam, between 2 am and 8 am on October 28.
The cyclone brought maximum sustained winds of 125–135 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 150 kmph. By 8 am, its centre had moved completely over land, the IMD reported.
At 8:30 am, the system was positioned over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and the adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, with areas around Narsapur, Kakinada and Machilipatnam among the locations in its vicinity.
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has placed the state on high alert. The administration is working round the clock to protect lives and minimise damage to property, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.
Although no loss of life had been reported at the time of the report, the cyclone has already caused significant coastal disruption. Powerful waves and severe coastal erosion have damaged the Uppada coastal road near Kakinada.
The grounding of the sulphur-carrying vessel has added to concerns along the storm-hit coastline. Authorities are expected to assess the vessel’s structural condition and determine the appropriate response following a detailed inspection. The extent of any cargo leakage or environmental impact was not specified in the available report.
