Cyclone Arnab Causes Heavy Damage in AP

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said that Cyclone Arnab caused extensive damage across the state, with preliminary estimates putting the losses at ₹4,600 crore. He said he had sought financial assistance from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and that central teams would visit the state to assess the damage. During his visit to cyclone-hit areas in Katrenikona mandal of Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district on Thursday, the Chief Minister interacted with affected farmers and residents of flooded areas. He said around 30,000 personnel from various departments had been mobilised immediately after the cyclone alert. While advance preparations helped minimise casualties, seven people lost their lives in incidents involving wall collapses and electrocution, he added.

More than 10,000 electricity poles were uprooted by the cyclone, including around 8,000 in Konaseema district, Naidu said. About 2,000 personnel are engaged in restoration work, and he has sought an additional 1,000 staff members from Telangana. Assistance from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka may also be requested if required. He assured that power supply would be fully restored within two days. The government would provide compensation for crop and horticultural losses, including damage to coconut and oil palm trees. Families returning from relief camps would receive rice, essential commodities and financial assistance. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, as well as the Puducherry administration, assuring them of central assistance. He also announced that central inter-ministerial teams would be sent to assess the cyclone damage.