AP: Cyclone Arnab batters north AP districts, 2 deaths reported
Vijayawada, Oct 28 (UNI) The cyclonic storm Arnab has battered north Andhra districts as uprooting of hundreds of trees and electric poles, damage to the roads and railway track reported, while two people were killed due to the falling of trees.
The Arnab, a very severe cyclonic storm, which made landfall between Narasapuram and Yanam this morning, wreaked havoc in the combined West Godavari, East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Krishna and Srikakulam districts. According to the official sources, Chokka Kishore (45) was killed when a massive tree uprooted and fell on him in Bhimavaram Church centre, while Rambabu (34) was killed when an electric pole collapsed on him in Bhimavaram in WG district. Hundreds of trees, including coconut trees, were uprooted and fell across the roads in the districts, including on the Kolkata-Chennai highway, disrupting the vehicular traffic.
The railway track between Kothavalasa and Kirandulin in the Visakhapatnam district was damaged, and the trains were cancelled on the route. In Visakhapatnam, hoards were caved in at many places, but no casualties have been reported. Several residential colonies were inundated in two to three feet of water in Visakhapatnam, Gajuwada, Chodavaram, and Vizianagaram districts. Normal life was thrown out of gear in coastal AP districts this morning. Officials said that 391 electric feeders were damaged while hundreds of electric poles were uprooted in these districts, resulting in hundreds of colonies being plunged into darkness due to power failures.
The officials are yet to assess the exact loss as the heavy rain continues to occur at some places. Crops including paddy, plantain, cotton, and maize were damaged on thousands of acres in these districts. An official release here on Wednesday said that following damage to the roads along the Uppada coast near Kakinada due to high-intensity waves and coastal erosion, repair works have already commenced.
Agriculture and Horticulture Department officials have also been directed to assess crop damage swiftly, provide technical guidance to farmers, prioritise crop recovery and ensure timely assistance to eligible farmers. The government remains focused on public safety, rapid restoration, and coordinated relief measures, with all departments concerned working to address the impact of the cyclone.
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