Schools in several districts of Andhra Pradesh will remain closed on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, as a precautionary measure against Cyclone Arnab, which is approaching the state's coast.
District Collectors and District Educational Officers have announced holidays in several coastal and adjoining districts following warnings of heavy rainfall, strong winds and possible waterlogging.
The closures are intended to ensure the safety of students and teachers as the cyclone moves closer to the Andhra Pradesh coast.
According to district-level holiday announcements, schools will remain closed on October 28 in the following districts:
Polavaram
Anakapalli
Srikakulam
Eluru
East Godavari
Kakinada
Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema
Krishna
Vizianagaram
NTR
Visakhapatnam
Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR)
In Anakapalli, authorities have announced a three-day school holiday from October 27 to 29. Several other districts have declared holidays for October 27 and 28.
Students and parents should follow instructions issued by their respective district administrations and schools, as the duration and coverage of closures may differ.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.
The system is expected to move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28.
The IMD has forecast maximum sustained wind speeds of 115–125 kmph, gusting up to 140 kmph, during landfall.
Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, raising concerns about flooding, waterlogging and disruption to normal activities.
With adverse weather conditions expected, students and parents should take the following precautions:
Stay indoors during heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Avoid travelling through flooded roads and low-lying areas.
Keep away from electric poles, fallen wires, trees and damaged structures.
Follow instructions issued by district authorities and disaster management officials.
Keep mobile phones charged and emergency contact numbers accessible.
Avoid visiting beaches, rivers, canals and other water bodies during the cyclone.
Parents should also avoid sending children to school unless they have received clear instructions from the school authorities.
While safety must remain the priority, students can use the time indoors for light academic activities.
They can revise previously covered lessons, organise their notes, read books or practise a few questions from subjects they find difficult.
Class 10 and Class 12 students preparing for board examinations may use the break to review important concepts without putting additional pressure on themselves.
However, students should not be expected to continue studying during power outages, evacuation or other emergency situations.
The holiday has been declared primarily as a safety measure, and students and parents should continue monitoring official weather alerts and district administration announcements.