Andhra Cyclone Havoc: Two Dead, Thousands Evacuated, Roads Damaged

Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Wednesday, bringing heavy rainfall and powerful winds that disrupted normal life across coastal districts. Uprooted trees, damaged electricity poles and blocked roads affected transport and essential services, while two people died in separate electrocution incidents. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to speed up relief operations and restore normalcy in the affected areas.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the extremely severe cyclonic storm crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between 2 am and 8 am before weakening into a severe cyclonic storm. The system crossed near Narasapuram, southwest of Yanam, with its centre reported at varying distances from Narasapuram, Yanam and Kakinada.

Two people died after coming into contact with fallen electricity wires. A 53-year-old man was electrocuted near an agricultural field in Visakhapatnam district on Tuesday night, while a 55-year-old woman died after stepping on a live wire outside her house in Yelamanchili town, Anakapalli district, on Wednesday morning.

Naidu reviewed the situation through a teleconference with district collectors and around 32,000 personnel. He ordered officials to clear roads blocked by fallen trees within two hours, restore power after wind speeds subsided and ensure adequate food, drinking water and medical facilities at relief camps. Officials were also instructed to protect crops, prevent breaches in tanks and canals, assess agricultural losses and keep NDRF and SDRF teams ready.

In Kakinada district, hundreds of trees and fewer than 100 electricity poles reportedly fell. The Uppada coastal road was completely washed away, according to Superintendent of Police G. Bindu Madhav.

Konaseema district experienced wind speeds of up to 130 kmph. More than 10,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas, and around 495 relief camps and temporary rehabilitation centres were established. Police and other departmental teams began clearing roads and restoring electricity.

In Alluri Sitarama Raju district, an old bridge in Tadiguda village, Ananthagiri mandal, was washed away, cutting off access to a tribal settlement. Officials began arranging alternative access.

Meanwhile, around 400 trees fell in Visakhapatnam district, District Collector M. Abhisikth Kishore said. Municipal and Roads and Buildings Department teams worked to reopen roads and restore power. Around 100 families remained in two rehabilitation centres, while some residents returned home. No flooding was reported in the district at the time of the assessment.