Cyclone Arnab: Andhra CM Naidu seeks Central aid to assess damage across state

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking Central assistance to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab in the state, as three deaths have been reported amid relief and restoration efforts.

In his letter, Naidu highlighted damage to crops, houses, roads and electricity poles caused by the cyclone and urged the Centre to dispatch assessment teams at the earliest, according to a press release.

Around 16 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 11 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed across 14 districts for rescue and relief operations. More than 28,000 people have been shifted to rehabilitation centres in cyclone-affected areas.

Konaseema, Kakinada, East Godavari, West Godavari, Anakapalli and Krishna are among the districts severely affected by the cyclone, the Chief Minister said.

Control rooms and the State Emergency Operations Centre are functioning round the clock to coordinate the response. The government is prioritising relief operations and the restoration of electricity and drinking water supplies in affected areas.

Naidu said a comprehensive report on the damage would be submitted to the Centre after a detailed assessment. He also urged the Union government to continue providing support through the NDRF and other central agencies for relief and rehabilitation.

Earlier on Wednesday, Naidu held a teleconference with around 32,000 personnel, including district collectors and field-level staff, to review the cyclone's impact and the relief and restoration measures being undertaken across the state.

He also held a review meeting with senior officials to assess crop damage and directed them to prepare preliminary estimates. The Chief Minister reviewed the situation until 1.30 am and held the teleconference at 6.30 am.

According to the press release, Naidu instructed officials to brief the Centre on the measures being taken by the state government to address the cyclone's impact. He appreciated officials and field-level personnel for working through the night to minimise public inconvenience and urged them to continue their efforts until conditions return to normal.

The Chief Minister directed officials to clear fallen trees from roads and restore traffic within two hours. Trees blocking national highways must be removed promptly to ensure uninterrupted movement, he said.

Naidu also instructed officials to restore electricity in affected areas as soon as strong winds subside and conditions permit. Adequate food, drinking water and medical facilities must be ensured at cyclone shelters.

He further directed officials to take measures to prevent water from entering agricultural fields, protect horticultural crops and prevent breaches in tanks and irrigation canals.