Naidu writes to Amit Shah, seeks Central aid for cyclone damage in Andhra Pradesh

People stand near a tree uprooted by Cyclone Arnab and blocking a road in Kakinada on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: AP Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has sought the Centre’s assistance in dealing with the impact of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on Wednesday morning, causing extensive damage to crops, houses, roads and power infrastructure in several coastal districts. Uprooted trees and fallen electric poles litter a street in Doctors’ Colony near MVP Colony in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, leaving the locality looking like a war zone in the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab. | Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK Mr. Naidu spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the phone and apprised him of the cyclone and its impact on the State.In a letter dated October 28, the Chief Minister outlined the cyclone’s movement, the State government’s preparedness and response measures, and the preliminary assessment of the damage. He requested continued support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other Central agencies, as required. He also sought the early deputation of a Central team to assess the damage after the State government submits its detailed assessment.According to the cyclone update cited in the letter, the storm’s centre was located at 8.30 a.m. near latitude 16.4°N and longitude 81.9°E, about 20 km east of Narsapur and 70 km south-southwest of Kakinada.The system was bringing winds of 115-125 kmph, with gusts reaching 140 kmph. A storm surge of 1.0 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide was likely to inundate low-lying coastal areas, compounding the threat from heavy rainfall and strong winds.Over 28,000 people evacuatedThe State government mobilised disaster response teams and emergency services across 14 districts to minimise loss of life and damage to property. Sixteen NDRF teams and 11 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were deployed for preparedness and response operations.More than 28,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable locations and shifted to relief shelters. All fishing boats had returned to harbour, with no loss of boats reported so far, the preliminary assessment stated.Medical teams, ambulances and relief supplies were positioned in affected areas. Power restoration crews and road clearance teams were also deployed to address disruptions and restore essential services.The Chief Minister’s letter stated that no loss of human life had been reported at the time of the preliminary assessment, indicating that evacuation and preparedness measures had helped limit the immediate human toll.Houses, roads and power infrastructure damagedThe preliminary assessment put the number of damaged houses at around 180, with most of the reported damage concentrated in Konaseema district.Strong winds uprooted more than 220 trees along State roads, of which over 170 had been cleared by the time of the assessment. Damage to road surfaces was also reported at a few coastal locations, while power supply was disrupted in parts of the affected districts.Restoration teams were working to clear roads, repair damaged infrastructure and restore electricity. The extent of the damage was still being assessed, and the figures were expected to be revised as field reports became available.Paddy, horticulture crops affectedHeavy rainfall and inundation caused damage to agriculture and horticulture crops. Paddy and other crops spread across about 70,900 hectares were reported to have been inundated or damaged.Horticulture crops covering another 10,450 hectares were also affected, taking the preliminary estimate of the total affected agricultural and horticultural area to about 81,350 hectares.The damage was concentrated along the Godavari delta coast, particularly in Konaseema, Kakinada, East Godavari and West Godavari districts. Krishna and Anakapalli districts were also affected. In Visakhapatnam city, four wards reported cyclone-related damage. Published - October 28, 2026 06:20 pm IST