Cyclone Arnab Prompts Mass Evacuations as CM Chandrababu Naidu Reviews Andhra Pradesh Preparedness

The Chief Minister reports 84,396 people moved to 290 shelters, more than 30,000 fishing boats brought ashore and emergency teams placed on alert. Heavy rainfall, coastal flooding and potential crop damage remain major concerns.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has urged residents of coastal and flood prone areas to remain indoors, follow official cyclone advisories and cooperate with evacuation measures as Cyclone Arnab threatens several districts of the state.
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said the government had activated emergency response arrangements to minimise casualties and property damage. He added that he was reviewing cyclone preparedness every hour with district collectors and officials despite his election related commitments.
According to Naidu, Cyclone Arnab has been placed in the red warning category, with its impact expected across the coastal belt from Srikakulam to Bapatla. The cyclone is forecast to cross the coast near Yanam, close to Kakinada.

Moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds is expected from Srikakulam to Krishna district. Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, Manyam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Kakinada are among the districts expected to experience greater impact.
The Chief Minister said rainfall had already begun in North Andhra, with further rain expected across coastal areas during the night and the following day.
He warned that rainfall could reach 30 cm in Srikakulam, 28 cm in West Godavari and 23 cm in Visakhapatnam. Several other areas could receive more than 10 cm of rainfall.
Coastal flooding is another concern, with seawater potentially entering low lying settlements. Residents of coastal villages, island communities and areas vulnerable to flooding have been advised to move to designated cyclone shelters.

The Chief Minister said 290 shelters had been established and 84,396 people had already been evacuated to these facilities.
State and district control rooms are operating throughout the day, while cyclone warning bulletins are being issued every hour.
The National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Navy and Coast Guard have been placed on alert to assist with emergency operations.
Authorities have also brought more than 30,000 fishing boats back from the sea. Naidu confirmed that 93 boats belonging to Andhra Pradesh, along with their crews, were safe at Gopalpur.
Healthcare arrangements have been made for vulnerable residents, including pregnant women. Nearly 5,000 pregnant women have been shifted to Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and nearby hospitals as a precautionary measure.

The administration has arranged water tankers and generators to maintain access to safe drinking water during possible disruptions.
Around 8,400 personnel have been kept ready to respond to electricity supply failures and undertake restoration work.
The Chief Minister also warned that heavy rainfall could lead to flooding in the Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers in North Coastal Andhra.
Officials have been instructed to prepare for possible breaches in water storage tanks and carry out immediate restoration measures where necessary.
To reach villages cut off by flooding, the government is using drones to deliver essential supplies, including food and medicines.
Arrangements have also been made to distribute food through Anganwadi centres for children and lactating mothers and to maintain ration supplies in affected areas.
Agriculture is another area of concern.

According to the Chief Minister, agricultural crops covering approximately 7.16 lakh hectares and horticultural crops spread across 16 lakh hectares could be affected by the cyclone.
The government is using technology to assess the likely impact and plan measures to reduce damage.
Naidu reiterated that protecting lives remained the administration’s foremost priority and urged residents to avoid unnecessary movement, particularly in coastal and flood prone locations.
He advised people to follow instructions from district authorities, pay attention to official warning bulletins and move to shelters when directed.
The administration continues to monitor rainfall, river levels, coastal conditions and emergency response requirements as Cyclone Arnab approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast.

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