Amaravati, Oct 28 : Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts early on Wednesday, causing damage to roads, trees and electricity poles. Two people died of electrocution in separate incidents, while heavy rainfall affected several coastal districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the very severe cyclonic storm crossed the coast between 2 am and 8 am on Wednesday before weakening into a severe cyclonic storm.
The cyclone crossed near Narsapur, around 20 km east-northeast of the town, 40 km southwest of Yanam and 60 km southwest of Kakinada.
Two Die of Electrocution During Cyclone Arnab
Two people, including a 55-year-old woman, died of electrocution during the cyclone.
In Visakhapatnam district, a 53-year-old man died on Tuesday night after coming into contact with a live wire that had fallen across an agricultural field channel.
In another incident, a woman died on Wednesday morning after accidentally stepping on an exposed live wire outside her home in Yellamanchili town in Anakapalli district.
Chandrababu Naidu Reviews Cyclone Damage
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the cyclone situation on Wednesday morning and directed officials to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.
During a teleconference with around 32,000 personnel, including district collectors, he stressed the need to minimise property damage and ensure essential services reached affected communities.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to clear roads blocked by fallen trees within two hours and remove obstructions on national highways immediately. He also directed them to restore electricity once strong winds subsided.
Naidu asked officials to provide sufficient food, drinking water and medical facilities at cyclone shelters. He also directed them to protect agricultural and horticultural crops, prevent water from entering fields and take measures to avoid breaches in tanks and canals.
Officials were asked to prepare preliminary estimates of crop damage and keep National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams ready.
Kakinada and Konaseema Face Strong Winds
Kakinada district experienced significant damage from Cyclone Arnab, according to Superintendent of Police G Bindu Madhav.
Hundreds of trees and fewer than 100 electricity poles were uprooted. The Uppada coastal road was completely washed away, while power outages affected several areas.
People from vulnerable locations were moved to relief camps as a precautionary measure and remained there during the storm’s strong winds.
In Konaseema district, gusty winds reportedly reached speeds of up to 130 kmph, uprooting trees and electricity poles. District police chief Rahul Meena said no casualties or property damage had been reported in his preliminary assessment.
More than 10,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas and shifted to safer locations. Around 495 cyclone shelters and temporary relief centres were established.
Officials said electricity restoration and road clearance operations were underway, with major highways expected to be cleared within two to three hours.
Bridge Washed Away in Alluri Sitaramaraju District
Cyclone Arnab had a limited impact on Alluri Sitaramaraju district as of 9 am on Wednesday, according to Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar.
Trees and electricity poles were uprooted, and some roads were flooded. An old bridge in Tadiguda village of Anantagiri mandal was washed away, leaving a hamlet isolated.
Authorities were making alternative arrangements and carrying out restoration work. Officials continued to monitor water levels amid the possibility of further rainfall.
Around 400 Trees Fall in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam district recorded widespread tree damage due to the cyclone. District Collector M Abhishikth Kishore said around 400 trees had fallen across the district.
Roads and Buildings Department and Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation teams were clearing fallen trees and restoring road connectivity.
Most roads had been reopened to traffic, while work continued to remove the remaining obstructions. Electricity restoration remained a priority.
Around 100 families were staying at two relief centres, while some residents had returned to their homes. No flooding was reported in the district, according to the Collector.
Anakapalli district Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha said no major issues had been reported in the district.
Heavy Rainfall Exceeds 260 mm in Some Areas
Several locations in Anakapalli, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am on October 27 and 4 am on October 28, according to the IMD.
Kannuripalem in Anakapalli district recorded the highest rainfall at 261.5 mm. KVBR School in Vizianagaram district received 259.74 mm, while the 16th Police Battalion area in Visakhapatnam recorded 259.06 mm.
State government officials said heavy rainfall was likely to continue on Wednesday and Thursday due to the cyclone’s impact.
Authorities continued road clearance, electricity restoration and relief operations across the affected districts, urging residents in vulnerable areas to follow official safety instructions.
