Cyclone Arnab has caused extensive damage across several districts of Andhra Pradesh, with preliminary estimates putting the losses at about Rs 4,600 crore; however, the damage assessment is expected to
be revised after a detailed evaluation, as the state government steps up relief, power restoration and rehabilitation operations.
As Cyclone Arnab impacted normalcy in north coastal Andhra, Konaseema and West Godavari districts are said to be among the worst-affected regions. In Konaseema alone, around 8,000 electricity poles have been damaged, leaving restoration teams with a major task to bring power supply back to normal. The government has sought the assistance of 1,000 electricity personnel from Telangana, with additional teams from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu likely to be mobilised if required.
Central government teams are scheduled to visit Andhra Pradesh on Friday to assess the damage caused by the cyclone. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said he had spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and briefed him on the destruction and the relief measures initiated by the state government. A preliminary damage report has already been submitted to the Centre.
Seven deaths reported despite precautionary measures
The Chief Minister said the government had mobilised around 30,000 officials and kept the administrative machinery on high alert to minimise casualties and property damage. Despite extensive precautionary measures, seven people lost their lives.
Meanwhile, authorities have been working to clear uprooted trees and restore road connectivity in the affected areas. Clearance operations began during the previous night, particularly in badly affected parts of Konaseema and West Godavari districts.
The Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) was used to monitor the cyclone’s movement and coordinate response operations across districts from Srikakulam to Krishna.
During CM Naidu’s visit to Gachakayalapora village in the Mummidivaram constituency, he conducted an aerial survey of cyclone-hit areas, inspected relief centres and interacted with affected families to understand the extent of the damage.
Several women told the Chief Minister that their huts had collapsed due to the cyclone, following which he directed the district administration to take steps to restore the damaged structures and examine the possibility of granting house-site pattas to eligible poor families living on government land, in accordance with existing rules.
Fishermen also raised concerns over difficulties caused by the lack of boat registration. Naidu instructed the district administration to take the necessary steps to facilitate registration.
The Andhra Pradesh government has announced compensation of Rs 1,500 for each damaged coconut tree and each damaged oil palm tree. Families returning from relief camps will receive 25 kg of rice, a packet of essential commodities and financial assistance to meet immediate expenses.
Compensation for agricultural and horticultural crop losses will be credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts as soon as the damage assessment is completed. Farmers whose yields decline due to the cyclone will also be eligible for compensation under the applicable provisions.
Naidu said the government was working to restore electricity and telecommunications services while minimising inconvenience to residents. The extensive damage to electricity infrastructure in Konaseema has emerged as one of the major challenges in the aftermath of the cyclone.
He directed officials to expedite restoration work and ensure that affected people receive assistance without delay.
“My objective is to ensure that governance reaches every person and that no one is left to suffer without assistance,” he said, reiterating that relief, restoration and damage assessment would remain the government’s immediate priorities.
The final extent of the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab will become clearer after the detailed assessment by state officials and the central teams scheduled to visit Andhra Pradesh on Friday.
3.33 Lakh Hectares of Agricultural Crops Hit; 2,396 Km of Roads Damaged
According to preliminary state government estimates, cyclone and subsequent heavy rainfall have affected agricultural crops across 3,33,268 hectares in 16 districts of Andhra Pradesh. Horticultural crops across another 22,452 hectares in 15 districts have also suffered damage. The final extent of crop losses is yet to be determined.
Cyclone Arnab also damaged approximately 2,396 km of major district roads and state highways maintained by the Roads and Buildings Department. West Godavari was the worst affected, with damage reported across 552 km, followed by Konaseema (396 km), East Godavari (372 km), Srikakulam (309 km), Anakapalli (236 km) and Vizianagaram (211 km).
Restoration work is continuing at several damaged road locations. Of 62 locations affected by scouring, repairs have been completed at 22, while 40 remain pending. Of 34 road breaches, 13 have been repaired and 21 are yet to be restored. Work has been completed on 83 of the 102 damaged culverts and other cross-drainage structures, with repairs pending at 19 locations.
Authorities have cleared all 2,264 trees that fell on the affected roads. However, traffic movement remains disrupted at 34 of the 133 locations where interruptions were reported, even as connectivity has been restored at 99 locations.
Electricity restoration is progressing across the affected districts. In the APEPDCL service area, supply has been restored to 4,771 of the 5,400 affected villages, while restoration remains pending in 629 villages. In Krishna district, under APCPDCL, power supply has been restored to 835 of the 915 affected villages, with 80 villages still awaiting restoration.
