Visakhapatnam, formerly known as Vizagapatam is the proposed executive capital of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It lies between the Eastern Ghats and the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
It is the second largest city in the east coast of India after Chennai and also the fourth largest city in South India. It is one of the four smart cities of Andhra Pradesh selected under Smart Cities Mission.
Visakhapatnam's history stretches back to the 6th century BCE, when it was considered a part of the Kalinga Kingdom, and later ruled by the Vengi, the Pallava and Eastern Ganga dynasties.
Archaeological records suggest that the present city was built around the 11th and 12th centuries with control over the city fluctuating between the Chola dynasty and the Gajapati Kingdom, until its conquest by the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century.
Some of the notable poets from the city include Sri Sri, Gollapudi Maruti Rao, Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry. Visakhapatnam is one of the main tourism destinations in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is famous for beaches, caves and the Eastern Ghats as well as wildlife sanctuaries. About 30% of the city is covered with greenery.
Air quality across the national capital remained in the severe and hazardous category ahead of Diwali, with multiple monitoring stations recording an Air Quality Index crossing the 400 and near-500 mark. Areas including Rohini and IIT Delhi recorded severe levels above 470, while thick layers of smog reduced visibility across landmarks such as the Akshardham temple. Health advisories highlighted severe risks of respiratory distress, particularly for children and the elderly. Meanwhile, ground data revealed over 2,700 farm fire cases registered in Punjab till November 5, with Tarn Taran district recording the highest number of stubble burning incidents. Political contention intensified over agricultural fires as authorities face persistent challenges in checking seasonal pollution levels. The toxic atmospheric conditions also led to sporting disruptions, including the shifting of the India-Sri Lanka ODI from Delhi to Visakhapatnam due to hazardous weather conditions.
Delhi and the National Capital Region continue to reel under severe and hazardous air quality ahead of Diwali, with average Air Quality Index levels crossing the 500 mark. Dense smog enveloped parts of Delhi and Noida, with monitoring stations in Rohini and Punjabi Bagh recording AQI readings of 473 and 464 respectively. Calm wind conditions and geography have trapped pollutants from local and external sources, rendering measures under the Winter Action Plan and Graded Response Action Plan Stage 2 inadequate on the ground. The worsening air quality has also disrupted sporting fixtures, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India to shift the first One Day International between India and Sri Lanka from Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi to Visakhapatnam. The move recalls the December 2017 Test match where visiting Sri Lankan players wore masks and experienced respiratory distress. Experts and ground reports emphasize the absence of preventive, long-term interstate planning between the Centre and states to curb the seasonal pollution crisis.
The first One Day International between India and Sri Lanka, scheduled for December 13, has been moved from Delhi to Visakhapatnam. The venue change follows a formal request by the Delhi and District Cricket Association to the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Authorities cited planned renovation work at the Arun Jaitley Stadium alongside potential weather disruptions in the national capital during December as reasons for relocating the fixture. The development comes amid recurring concerns regarding worsening winter air quality in Delhi, which has previously impacted sporting events.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has shifted the first One Day International between India and Sri Lanka from Delhi to Visakhapatnam. Scheduled for 13 December, the match was relocated following a request from the Delhi and District Cricket Association, which cited potential weather disruptions, severe air pollution, and proposed renovation work at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Delhi has faced past disruptions during winter fixtures involving visiting teams such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh due to toxic air quality index levels.
Operations across Andhra Pradesh have faced major disruptions as Cyclone Murzu approaches the coastline, bringing strong winds forecast to reach up to 120 kilometres per hour. At least 19 domestic flights, including Indigo and Air India Express services, were cancelled across Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam airports. Rail services across affected coastal stretches have also been suspended as a precautionary step. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is monitoring the ground situation and has sought assistance and additional manpower from neighbouring states, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka, to aid in post-landfall restoration work over the next 24 to 48 hours. Vulnerable coastal districts including Nellore, Ongole, and Bapatla remain on high alert with standard operating procedures activated. Authorities and emergency response machinery are focused on minimising losses to life and infrastructure, advising residents in low-lying areas to stay indoors and adhere to government safety guidelines.
Cyclone Michaung has triggered widespread destruction across coastal Andhra Pradesh as the landfall process reaches completion. Severe winds and torrential rains have lashed districts including Kakinada, Machilipatnam, and Konaseema, uprooting decades-old trees, damaging vehicles, and blocking roadways. The India Meteorological Department has issued continued red alerts across several coastal districts, with warnings of intense storm surges and gusty winds reaching up to 140 km/h. Flight and railway services have experienced disruptions, prompting advisories for residents to stay indoors and avoid travelling to severely affected coastal zones. State administration and emergency response teams remain deployed on the ground to prevent loss of life, clear debris, and provide necessary medical aid across impacted areas.
A cyclone landfall process is underway between Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and Yanam in Puducherry, triggering heavy rainfall and gusty winds across eastern coastal states including West Bengal, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu. Uprooted trees have blocked national highways and damaged several vehicles, with visuals showing destruction in Visakhapatnam and Odisha's Ganjam. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is monitoring live updates as low-lying areas are evacuated and disaster response teams deployed. The storm is projected to weaken as it advances towards Telangana.
A severe cyclone approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast is expected to complete landfall within four to five hours, with predictions placing the impact zone between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. The Andhra Pradesh government has initiated extensive preparedness measures, relocating residents across more than 1,500 locations and establishing multiple control centres. Government officials have urged citizens to exercise caution as the storm system approaches. The cyclone's impact also extends to neighbouring Odisha and Tamil Nadu, where coastal areas, including Chennai, are witnessing significant sea unrest and rough conditions.
Severe cyclonic storm Arnab has led to widespread transport disruptions across Andhra Pradesh, prompting the cancellation of multiple flights and train services as it nears the coast. At least 21 flights were cancelled at Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam airports on Tuesday, with another 15 scheduled cancellations for Wednesday affecting routes to Chennai, Bengaluru, Kadapa, and Delhi. IndiGo, Fly91, and Air India are among the impacted carriers, alongside Southern Railway cancelling dozens of trains. Coastal districts including Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Konaseema, and Vijayawada face high alerts, with highways barricaded and state transport services halted as precautionary measures. The India Meteorological Department has forecast a cyclonic storm surge following landfall expected between Kakinada, Yanam, and Konaseema. Schools and colleges have been shut for 48 hours, power supplies disconnected to avoid electrical accidents, and multi-agency rescue teams, including the NDRF and SDRF, deployed to evacuate citizens from vulnerable low-lying coastal areas to designated safe shelters.
Andhra Pradesh has been placed on high alert as Cyclone Arnab intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, speeding up its trajectory towards the coast. The storm is forecast to make landfall significantly earlier than previously projected, with impact expected between 2:00 am and 4:00 am. Wind speeds are estimated between 125 and 150 kilometres per hour, with predictions suggesting gusts could reach up to 180 kilometres per hour. In response, authorities have moved between 85,000 and 100,000 residents from vulnerable low-lying areas into temporary relief centres, including schools, providing food and bedding. Crucial coastal districts including Kakinada, Yanam, and Konaseema face extreme weather conditions, torrential rainfall, and rough seas. Precautionary measures include power shutdowns across vulnerable vicinities to mitigate hazards caused by wind and lightning, tower 10 danger warnings at Kakinada port, and highway closures spanning Ongole, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam to prevent accidents amid the anticipated cyclonic storm surge.
Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal and is heading northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, with landfall expected on 28th October between Yanam and Visakhapatnam. Wind speeds are forecast to reach between 120 and 150 kilometres per hour, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue a red alert for coastal districts including Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Yanam, Visakhapatnam, and Srikakulam, as well as parts of Odisha. The Andhra Pradesh government has declared holidays for schools and colleges across vulnerable districts and released 27 crore rupees for emergency response. Authorities are undertaking large-scale evacuations of low-lying and flood-prone areas, prioritising elderly residents and pregnant women. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have been deployed, while the Armed Forces, Navy, and Coast Guard remain on standby. Precautionary flood-prevention measures are also underway in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to ensure zero casualties.
Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh was arrested by the Tamil Nadu Police and sent to Puzhal Prison following the dismissal of his anticipatory bail plea by the Madras High Court. The Central Crime Branch has alleged a major bribery scam involving nearly 400 crore rupees per year collected from private schools for renewals and approvals. While the ruling administration termed the action an investigation into institutional corruption, the DMK condemned the arrest as political vendetta. Meanwhile, 17 remand prisoners escaped from a sub-jail in Thekkampatti, Theni, after faking a medical seizure and assaulting prison staff, prompting a multi-district search operation that has recaptured four fugitives. In another key decision, the state government announced the phased introduction of digital payments across 4,082 state-run TASMAC liquor outlets to curb overcharging and cash handling discrepancies. Additionally, Andhra Pradesh is on high alert as Cyclone Omar approaches landfall near Yanam and Visakhapatnam.
Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal and is heading towards the east coast of India. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert across Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall with maximum sustained wind speeds reaching 115 to 125 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 140 kilometres per hour. Landfall is expected along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. In response to the impending disaster, National Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed across multiple states, while the Indian Navy and Coast Guard remain on standby. Coastal administrations have initiated evacuations from low-lying areas, set up temporary relief shelters, and declared holidays for schools and colleges. Fishermen have been strictly directed to avoid venturing out into the sea as authorities aim for zero casualties.
Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, putting Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on high alert ahead of an expected landfall between Visakhapatnam and Bapatla. The India Meteorological Department has warned of sustained wind speeds reaching 115 to 125 km/h, gusting up to 140 km/h, alongside storm surges and heavy rainfall. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed preparedness and released 27 crore rupees for cyclone response, directing officials to issue regular alerts and secure reservoirs. Precautionary measures are also underway in Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana, and Puducherry. Disaster management forces, including the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, have been deployed and placed on standby. Police have cordoned off coastal stretches like Kakinada beach, while schools and colleges in several districts have been closed ahead of landfall.
A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into Cyclone Arnob and is expected to turn into a very severe cyclonic storm before crossing the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast. Authorities in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal have sounded alerts, with coastal districts bracing for wind speeds between 120 and 150 kilometres per hour, rough seas, and intense rainfall. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu conducted a virtual review meeting to assess ground preparations, directing state machinery, the armed forces, police officials, and National Disaster Response Force teams to remain on standby. Precautionary evacuations have commenced in vulnerable coastal regions including Kakinada, Konaseema, and Visakhapatnam, prioritising pregnant women, elderly individuals, and citizens needing medical care. Fishermen have been warned against venturing out to sea as the meteorological department forecasts landfall around 28 October, with the administration targeting zero casualties through round-the-clock monitoring and disaster preparedness.
Andhra Pradesh is stepping up its investment drive ahead of the thirty-first CII Partnership Summit scheduled in Visakhapatnam on November twelve and thirteen. As part of these preparations, Vijayawada hosted the Amaravati Regional Conference to create dedicated investment platforms and link local business opportunities with industrial leaders. Addressing attendees as chief guest, Special Chief Secretary and CII representative SS Rawat called on investors to explore emerging opportunities across the Amaravati region. The ongoing initiative aligns with the Swarna Andhra Vision twenty forty-seven roadmap, which seeks to transform the state into a two point four trillion dollar economy and attract five hundred billion dollars in total investments.
A 20-year-old woman from Assam, Himashree Boro, was found dead near railway tracks in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district after boarding the Vivek Express from Visakhapatnam to Guwahati. Her family alleged she felt unsafe inside the train coach due to the presence and behaviour of inebriated men, having sent them a video and messages highlighting her distress before her phone switched off. While her luggage and identity documents were recovered from inside the compartment, her body was found beside the tracks in Penubarti village. Railway Police and local law enforcement are investigating all angles, including potential criminal foul play and whether she accidentally slipped and fell from the moving train.
Two women from Visakhapatnam, 67-year-old Rama Devi and her 33-year-old daughter-in-law Neha, died on the spot in a road accident in Melbourne, Australia, after their Toyota car collided with a Porsche. The former Vizag Cricket Academy joint secretary survived the crash, while the driver sustained serious injuries and was shifted to a hospital. Victoria Police have registered a case and initiated a probe into the mishap. The Telugu community in Melbourne is assisting the family, and efforts are underway to repatriate the mortal remains to Visakhapatnam, which is expected to take around 10 days.
At the India Today Global Aaj Tak BRICS Roundtable, former Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi analyzed geopolitical security, defense diplomacy, and economic resilience surrounding the 18th BRICS Summit. Discussing Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India and bilateral relations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria noted that high-level talks directly impact bilateral ties and regional stability. Admiral Tripathi described BRICS as a pragmatic multilateral platform rather than a military alliance, emphasizing that the path to peace requires strategic power. Both military leaders evaluated maritime security, counterterrorism, critical infrastructure protection, supply chain localization under the Atmanirbharta initiative, and defense exports. The panel also addressed non-traditional security threats, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and energy security risks along global trade choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz, while affirming the enduring strategic foundation of India-Russia bilateral defense relations.
A political row has escalated between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over the sharing of Godavari and Krishna river waters amid drought-like conditions in both states. KT Rama Rao launched a sharp attack regarding the surrender of Telangana's water share and project permissions during river management board meetings. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has been advocating for the Godavari-Cauvery river interlinking project to resolve water issues across southern India, alongside initiatives to route river water to Uttarandhra regions including Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, and Srikakulam.
