Cyclone Arnab weakens after landfall in Andhra Pradesh, CM says 'zero casualties'

The very severe cyclonic storm Arnab has weakened to a severe cyclonic storm on Wednesday (October 28) morning after crossing the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The storm had fully crossed onto land, though damage was reported in coastal areas.

Cyclone Arnab crosses coast with winds up to 135 kmph

Winds reached speeds of 135 kmph during the crossing, with gusts touching 150 kmph.

"The cyclone crossed the Andhra Pradesh & Yanam coasts to the Southwest of Yanam near latitude 16.450 N and 81.90 E, about 20 km east-northeast of Narsapur, 40 km southwest of Yanam and 60 km southwest of Kakinada," the Met department said in an official release.

Also Read: Cyclone Arnab: Odisha, Andhra target zero casualties; schools shut, evacuations underway

The cyclone brought down trees and electricity poles in several places, cutting power to some areas. Police and local officials were clearing fallen trees and debris from roads.

CM Naidu reviews relief measures

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation and said no deaths had been reported so far. He credited the administration's preparations before the cyclone reached the coast.

“No loss of life has been reported so far due to Cyclone Arnab. The advance precautionary measures taken by the administrative machinery helped prevent casualties,” Naidu said in an official press release.

Also Read: Cyclone Arnab to intensify into very severe storm, Andhra coast landfall on Oct 28

Naidu on a teleconference spoke to 32,000 personnel, including district collectors, during a teleconference during the day. He asked officials to clear roads blocked by fallen trees within two hours, adding that electricity supply was to be restored once the winds eased.

He also directed district officials to ensure that people at relief centres had food, drinking water and medical care. The state had identified 2,199 cyclone shelters. It had also arranged 1,087 medical teams, 8,281 emergency beds and 1,274 ambulances, while 12 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 10 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were assigned to 14 districts. Officials were asked to protect crops and prevent breaches in tanks and canals.

Uppada coastal road washed away in cyclone

In Kakinada, hundreds of trees and fewer than 100 electric poles had been uprooted, Superintendent of Police G Bindu Madhav said. Rainfall eased after 1 am, and no major damage had been reported. The Uppada coastal road, however, had been completely washed away.

Also Read: Bay of Bengal low-pressure system may intensify into Cyclone Arnab; heavy rain likely in Bengal

Odisha was also preparing for the cyclone's continued movement inland. The IMD issued a Red Warning for six districts, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall and winds of 50-70 kmph. Response teams were deployed, and fishing boats had returned to shore.

“Achieving zero casualties is our primary motto,” Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said.

Flights disrupted across coastal Andhra Pradesh

Air travel remained disrupted in coastal Andhra Pradesh. Flight services across coastal Andhra Pradesh faced disruption. Visakhapatnam airport had been shut since Tuesday afternoon, while flights at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry were suspended after 7 pm. Several flights were cancelled.

The Civil Aviation Ministry asked passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.

(With agency inputs)