CM Urges People to Stay Indoors

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday appealed to the people to remain indoors, stay alert and strictly follow government advisories as severe Cyclone Arnab threatened coastal Andhra Pradesh with extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds in several districts.

Naidu said protecting every life was the government's foremost priority and that the entire administration was prepared to minimise loss of life and property. “People need not panic but should cooperate with officials, avoid unnecessary travel and move to designated cyclone shelters whenever advised,” he said.

Naidu, despite his busy election-related engagements, was reviewing the cyclone preparedness every hour and maintaining constant contact with district collectors and senior officials. He said the cyclone was likely to affect the coastal belt from Srikakulam to Bapatla and cross the coast near Yanam, close to Kakinada.

Rainfall had begun in North Andhra, with coastal districts set to receive heavy rain on Tuesday night and Wednesday. The Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, Manyam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Kakinada districts were likely to face a worse impact. Rainfall of up to 30cm was possible in Srikakulam, 28cm in West Godavari and 23cm in Visakhapatnam, while several other areas could receive more than 10cm.

Naidu signaled that seawater could enter low-lying coastal areas and heavy rainfall could cause flooding in the Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers. Officials have been instructed to take precautionary measures, including ensuring the immediate restoration of irrigation tanks in case of breaches.

The government, he said, has identified 2,199 cyclone shelters and prepared evacuation plans prioritising the elderly, children, persons with disabilities and pregnant women. Some 84,396 people have been shifted to shelters, while nearly 5,000 pregnant women were moved to primary health centres, community health centres and nearby hospitals.

The CM explained that 12 NDRF teams and 10 SDRF teams had been assigned to positions in various districts. The Navy and Coast Guard were on standby, while police, fire services and medical teams have been mobilised. More than 30,000 fishing boats have returned from the sea. In Gopalpur, 93 boats belonging to Andhra Pradesh, along with their crews, were reported safe.

Naidu stated, “Control rooms are functioning round the clock at state and district levels, with cyclone warning bulletins issued every hour. The government had mobilised over 8,400 personnel to restore electricity in areas affected by power disruptions. Water tankers, generators, safe drinking water, medicines and food supplies are being arranged.”

Drones are being used to deliver food and medicines to inundated villages where access is difficult. Arrangements are also made to ensure ration supplies and distribute food to children and lactating mothers through Anganwadi centres.

He said agricultural crops spread across 7.16 lakh hectares and horticultural crops covering 16 lakh hectares were potentially at risk.

Technology was being used to assess the likely impact and plan damage-mitigation measures.

Naidu urged fishermen not to venture into the sea until official clearance was given. He advised residents to avoid beaches, riverbanks, floodwaters and fallen power lines, keep essential supplies and charged mobile phones ready, and remain in safe shelters until authorities declared the danger over.

He also appealed to the people not to circulate rumours but inform local officials about vulnerable residents needing assistance.