Cyclone Arnab: Andhra Pradesh Reports No Casualties Amid Precautionary Measures
Cyclone Arnab's Impact on Andhra Pradesh
File image shows severe weather and heavy downpours impacting coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh(Photo: IANS)
Amaravati, Oct 28: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced on Wednesday that there have been no reported fatalities due to Cyclone Arnab, attributing this to the proactive measures implemented by the administration.
During a teleconference with 32,000 officials, including district collectors, Naidu urged them to minimize property damage and expedite the restoration of normalcy in the cyclone-affected regions.
Naidu stated, "Thanks to the advance precautionary measures taken by the administrative machinery, no loss of life has been reported due to Cyclone Arnab," as per an official press release.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to clear roads obstructed by fallen trees within two hours and to ensure the immediate removal of trees blocking national highways. He also emphasized the need to restore electricity in affected areas once the winds calmed down.
Naidu highlighted the importance of providing sufficient food, drinking water, and medical assistance at cyclone shelters. He urged officials to prevent water from flooding agricultural fields, safeguard horticultural crops, and take steps to avert breaches in tanks and canals.
He requested officials to prepare initial assessments of crop damage and keep the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on standby.
Additionally, officials were directed to utilize the Manamitra system effectively to address public grievances in cyclone-affected areas and to keep complainants informed about the actions taken to resolve their issues.
Meanwhile, Kakinada Superintendent of Police (SP) G Bindu Madhav reported that Cyclone Arnab had a significant impact on the district, uprooting several hundred trees and less than 100 electric poles. However, he confirmed that no major damage had occurred and that rainfall subsided after 1 am.
Madhav noted that people were evacuated to relief camps as a precaution and remained there due to strong winds and the storm's noise between midnight and 1 am.
The Uppada road along the coast was completely washed away, although rainfall was relatively low in the district, with gusty winds causing the primary impact.
Alluri Sitaramaraju district SP Amit Bardar stated that the cyclone had a limited effect on the district as of 9 am, with some uprooted trees and electric poles and a few inundated roads.
"No loss of life or significant damage to infrastructure, homes, or livestock has been reported so far. We are closely monitoring the situation as water levels may rise due to ongoing rainfall," Bardar informed.
An old bridge in Tadiguda village of Anantagiri mandal was washed away, isolating a hamlet, but alternative arrangements are being made, and restoration work is in progress.
The preliminary assessment indicated a limited overall impact, although the situation will continue to be monitored as rainfall persists.
Konaseema district SP Rahul Meena reported that gusty winds reaching 130 km/h had uprooted trees and electric poles throughout the district during the cyclone late Tuesday night, but no casualties or property damage had been recorded.
Fallen trees and electric poles blocked roads and disrupted power supply, with electricity connections expected to be restored within a few hours, while major highways would be cleared in two to three hours.
"Konaseema is among the hardest-hit districts, with winds reaching up to 130 km/h uprooting trees and electric poles, blocking roads and disrupting power supply," the SP stated.
Clearing interior roads may take until evening, he added, noting that wind speeds had decreased and the cyclone had weakened as it moved towards Kakinada.
More than 10,000 individuals were evacuated from low-lying areas and relocated to shelters, according to preliminary reports. Approximately 495 cyclone shelters and temporary relief centers have been established.
No village inundation has been reported, and water accumulation due to the storm surge has drained away.
Two NDRF teams and two SDRF teams were deployed a day prior to the cyclone to conduct road clearance and rescue operations in response to emergency calls.
Additional Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP) platoons were also deployed for clearance operations and other tasks, with personnel from various departments working continuously to restore normalcy by evening.