Vizag resembles a debris zone as Cyclone Arnab leaves a trail of destruction

Fallen electric poles and uprooted trees block a street in Doctors Colony near Seethammadhara in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, in the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab. | Photo Credit: K R Deepak Visakhapatnam resembled a war-torn zone on Wednesday after the heavy rain and gusty winds, triggerred by the very severe cyclonic storm Arnab, battered the city, uprooting 1,008 trees, bringing down electric poles, transformers and snapping power lines.The extensive damage severely disrupted normal life in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday, leaving the roads littered with debris as the administrative machinery was on its toes to restore order.Though the gusty winds subsided by Wednesday morning, rainfall continued across several parts of the city before easing considerably by the afternoon. The city experienced a night of heavy rain and gale, prompting the authorities to enforce restrictions on public movement to prevent loss of life. NDRF team clearing a fallen tree at Seethemmadhara in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. Over 1,000 trees were uprooted across the city as the Cyclone Arnab brings heavy rains and gale to the city . | Photo Credit: K R Deepak Prolonged power outages in many localities and poor mobile network connectivity, particularly for Internet services, put denizens into inconvenience as they were unable to access online services.The authorities kept a strict vigil on the National Highway-16 stretch passing through the city throughout the night to prevent traffic disruptions due to fallen trees. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the horticulture wing of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the Fire Services Department were deployed across the city to clear fallen trees, branches and restore road connectivity. A car crushed under a fallen tree in KRM Colony of Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: KR DEEPAK Uprooted trees blocked many arterial roads in KRM Colony, Akkayyapalem, Seethammadhara, China Waltair, Lawsons Bay, MVP Colony, Maddilapalem, Murali Nagar, Birla Junction, Madhavadhara, Visalakshi Nagar, Sagar Nagar, Shivajipalem, Ushodaya Junction and Pendurthi, among other localities. By 3 p.m. on Wednesday, the teams cleared 245 fallen trees.The strong winds damaged several small commercial establishments, houses and many temporary structures. Portions of many shops and roadside stalls suffered extensive damage in MVP Colony. The bus stop near Punjab Hotel Junction at Marriapalem collapsed. A minor fire accident was also reported at a power sub-station near Yendada.Waterlogging adds to woesHeavy rains that pounded the city throughout the day caused waterlogging at several locations, particularly in the Gajuwaka zone, where drain water swelled onto roads, disrupting traffic and pedestrian movement. Jaggayyapalem, near Sheela Nagar, was inundated, bringing back the similar inconvenience the residents faced during the deep depression last month. A woman walks along a waterlogged street at Mangamaripeta in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: K R Deepak A major drain overflowed onto the road near KIMS Road. The Gajuwaka police placed barricades to prevent people from entering the affected stretches. In HB Colony in Pedagantyada, rainwater entered several houses, and residents urged the authorities to take permanent measures to prevent repeated inundations.Many major drains and geddas were overflowing in Arilova, Akkayyapalem and One Town. The Port Road, a crucial route for port-related traffic, witnessed waterlogging on several stretches, inconveniencing commuters and port employees. Several service roads across the city were also inundated, adding to traffic woes.Nearly 600 people from hillock areas and low-lying areas were shifted to rehabilitation centres. Published - October 29, 2026 09:34 am IST