Three Killed, 31 Houses Damaged as Cyclone Arnab Hits Andhra Pradesh; Over 55,000 Evacuated
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning, killing three people, damaging 31 houses and affecting 714 villages as heavy rain and strong winds disrupted life across the state.
More than 55,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas ahead of the cyclone, while disaster response teams were deployed across several states and Union Territories to manage the impact.
Cyclone Weakens After Landfall
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) DIG (Operations) SS Soodan said the storm had weakened from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm after making landfall at around 8.30 am.
Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Soodan said the cyclone's centre was located along the coast south of Yanam. The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) had reported three deaths, he added.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclone completed its landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam and southwest of Yanam, by 8 am.
The storm brought maximum sustained winds of 125-135 kmph, with gusts reaching 150 kmph.
39 NDRF Teams Deployed for Rescue Operations
The NDRF deployed 39 teams for rescue and relief operations, including four teams airlifted on Tuesday ahead of the cyclone's arrival.
The Andhra Pradesh government coordinated evacuation efforts with disaster response agencies, moving more than 55,000 people from areas considered vulnerable to flooding and strong winds.
Authorities reported damage across 714 villages, with 31 houses damaged as the cyclone swept through the state.
Cyclone Expected to Weaken Further
Soodan said the storm was expected to weaken further over the following six hours before developing into a deep depression.
Andhra Pradesh and Odisha were expected to bear the brunt of the weather system. NDRF teams were also deployed in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Puducherry, Telangana and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to support preparedness and emergency response efforts.
