CM Naidu Orders High Alert As Cyclone Arnab Threatens AP Coast

Vijayawada:Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday directed all government departments to remain on high alert and ensure comprehensive preparedness to tackle the impending cyclone Arnab.

The CM set a target of zero casualties and minimum property damage.

Reviewing preparedness with district collectors and officials of 10 departments, Naidu stressed the need for coordinated action, advance planning and round-the-clock monitoring in view of forecasts of severe weather conditions along the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Officials said the cyclone was likely to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the afternoon of October 28, with the Konaseema-Yanam-Kakinada coastal belt among the areas being closely monitored. The North Andhra and central coastal districts are likely to experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on October 27 and 28, with some places facing exceptionally heavy downpours.

The chief minister directed officials to establish control rooms in every district, issue frequent alerts to residents through mobile phones and persuade people in vulnerable coastal villages to follow government advisories. He called for decisions based on satellite inputs and scientific data and instructed officials to issue cyclone bulletins every four hours.

The authorities, he said, must ensure that all boats at sea returned safely to the shore.

The power department was asked to remain fully prepared to restore electricity quickly in areas where supply might be disrupted. The irrigation department was asked to take necessary steps to harness the expected heavy rainfall and replenish water resources while remaining alert to possible flooding.

The CM instructed officials to identify pregnant women due for delivery this week and shift them to hospitals in advance, anticipating that the cyclone could disrupt road connectivity and make travel difficult.

He emphasised that adequate stocks of drinking water and food should be maintained and that district collectors must ensure there is no shortage of funds for relief operations. Cyclone shelters and rehabilitation centres should have all essential facilities.

Naidu warned officials against delays in restoring mobile phone connectivity if networks were disrupted and said even minor complaints from people in affected areas should be addressed promptly.

Officials informed the CM that the severe depression over the Bay of Bengal was likely to intensify into a cyclone by the morning of October 26. There could also be a severe cyclone by that night and a very severe cyclone on October 27. At landfall, winds could reach 115-125 kmph, with gusts touching 140 kmph in some areas.

The system was located about 850km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 930km from Kakinada by Sunday evening.

Weatherman said Anakapalli district could receive an average rainfall of 292.55mm, followed by Alluri Sitarama Raju district at 281.17mm, Visakhapatnam 253.87mm and Srikakulam 249.18mm. Kakinada, Konaseema and East Godavari districts are also expected to face adverse weather. Officials estimated an average five-day rainfall of 95mm across the state, while the affected districts could receive 22-29cm of rain on average.

Chief secretary Sai Prasad, DGP Harish Gupta, district collectors and officials from the agriculture, power, irrigation, home, health, civil supplies, municipal administration and panchayat raj departments attended the review.