Chandrababu Reviews Cyclone Arnab Impact, Orders Faster Power and Road Restoration

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the impact of Cyclone Arnab and the ongoing relief operations from the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) centre at the Secretariat. During a teleconference with district collectors, he assessed restoration of electricity supply, removal of fallen trees and the overall situation in affected districts. IT Secretary Katamneni Bhaskar briefed the Chief Minister on rainfall recorded over the previous 24 hours, reporting heavy rainfall in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Anakapalli, Dr B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema and Kakinada districts. Officials reported that around 33,000 coconut trees had fallen in Konaseema, along with approximately 10,000 other trees in the district and 4,000 trees in West Godavari. Fallen trees on National Highway 16 had been cleared, and officials said they were working to remove remaining obstructions. Conditions were gradually returning to normal in most cyclone-affected districts, except Konaseema and West Godavari.

Naidu directed officials to deploy additional personnel from APCPDCL to accelerate electricity restoration, particularly in Konaseema and West Godavari. He instructed them to clear roads, prevent drinking water and sanitation problems, and assess damage to crops, horticultural plantations, livestock, houses, power infrastructure, roads and irrigation tanks. Officials were also asked to monitor reservoir inflows, manage floodwater and use CCTV cameras and available technology to track conditions. Emphasising the importance of timely decisions during natural disasters, the Chief Minister said technology and coordinated action could help minimise loss of life and property. He added that he had conducted four teleconferences since the previous night to monitor the cyclone situation and relief measures.