Relief Operations Gain Pace in Cyclone-Hit Konaseema

Relief and restoration operations are progressing rapidly in Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, which was severely affected by Cyclone Arnab. Strong winds uprooted hundreds of trees, blocking roads and disrupting transport. Officials, police and revenue personnel worked with JCBs and cutting equipment to clear the roads within 12 hours, restoring traffic movement. APSRTC bus services resumed on Thursday. Electricity supply was restored in Amalapuram at around 8 pm on Thursday, while remote areas may take another two days to receive power. To address mobile network disruptions, around 300 telecom towers across Konaseema were operated using generators, helping partially restore communication services.

Meanwhile, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) staff intensified relief and clearance operations in Visakhapatnam. Of the 1,192 trees uprooted across the city, 1,057 had been cleared. Around 45 excavators and tippers were deployed, with teams working round the clock. Sanitation workers also removed fallen branches and other debris from roads to ensure smooth traffic movement. GVMC personnel have received widespread appreciation on social media for their efforts to restore normalcy in the city during the disaster.