CM Chandrababu Naidu Orders Speedy Cyclone Recovery, Directs Officials to Brace for Fresh Storm

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to expedite restoration work in areas affected by very severe cyclonic storm Arnab and strengthen preparedness to tackle another possible cyclone approaching the state.

During a review meeting on Saturday, officials informed the Chief Minister that a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal was likely to intensify into a cyclone by Sunday. It could bring moderate to heavy rainfall to South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on November 2, 3 and 4.

Naidu directed officials to prepare effective water management plans to utilise the expected rainfall. He also instructed them to install diesel generators at all mandal headquarters to maintain mobile connectivity during power outages. Alternative arrangements should be made to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to 4,500 BSNL towers and towers operated by other telecom service providers. He also suggested exploring Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Officials informed the Chief Minister that around 7,000 personnel were engaged in restoring electricity supply in cyclone-affected areas. Naidu directed them to accelerate the work and ensure power supply was restored to all households. He also ordered immediate repairs to damaged roads and reconstruction of the protective wall near Kakinada.

Emphasising improved drainage, he instructed officials to desilt canals in Narsapur and Katrenikona and strengthen drainage systems in Konaseema and West Godavari districts. He also called for standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent roads and canals from getting inundated during future disasters.

Reviewing agricultural losses, Naidu stressed the need to create awareness among farmers about input subsidies and crop insurance. He directed officials to provide adequate compensation for damaged coconut and banana crops.

The government announced Rs 54,000 per hectare for damaged coconut plantations covering 1,293 hectares and Rs 1,500 per uprooted or crown-damaged coconut tree. Around 1.95 lakh coconut trees were affected. Farmers with damaged banana crops across 15,000 hectares would receive compensation of Rs 35,000 per hectare.