Andhra Pradesh steps up cyclone Arnab preparedness

■ Cyclone alert: Cyclone Arnab is expected on October 28 and 29

■ Possible landfall near Yanam between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.

■ Arrangements are underway to shift 4,711 identified pregnant women to health centres and hospitals.

■ All 30,043 fishing boats have reportedly reached harbours safely.

■ Harvested paddy to be moved to safe locations, while horticultural crops across 1.82 lakh hectares need protection.

■ Reservoir management: Inflows are expected into 22 reservoirs, with plans to store 10–12 TMC of water where feasible.

Metro India News | AMARAVATI : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to intensify precautionary measures as Cyclone Arnab is expected to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across several districts on October 28 and 29. Reviewing preparedness with senior officials and district collectors on Monday, the Chief Minister stressed the need to prevent loss of life and property. Officials informed the Chief Minister that the system could intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, with a possible landfall near the Yanam region between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on October 28.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is likely from Srikakulam to Nellore from Monday afternoon, while several coastal and adjoining districts could experience intense rainfall over the following two days. The Chief Minister directed officials to keep the Centre informed about the State’s preparedness and issue weather warnings every four hours based on the cyclone’s movement. He ordered the evacuation of people from flood-prone and low-lying areas to cyclone shelters, prioritizing senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and infants.

Officials said arrangements were underway to shift 4,711 identified pregnant women to primary health centers, community health centers and hospitals. Medical teams and ambulances have been asked to remain ready in vulnerable districts. Seven National Disaster Response Force teams and eight State Disaster Response Force teams are to be deployed across 11 affected districts, with additional forces kept on standby in NTR and Visakhapatnam districts. Officials reported that 30,043 fishing boats had safely reached harbors. Fishermen have been advised to remain ashore until conditions at sea return to normal.

The Chief Minister also directed the Agriculture Department to move harvested paddy to safe locations and take precautions to protect horticultural crops spread across approximately 1.82 lakh hectares. Essential commodities must remain available through ration shops, while electricity supply should be restored promptly wherever disrupted. Officials estimated that inflows could reach 22 reservoirs, with efforts planned to store 10–12 TMC of water where feasible. The Chief Minister also instructed authorities to keep streams and drainage channels unobstructed, assess the need for school closures in heavily affected areas and act against deliberate misinformation on social media.