Cyclone Arnab impact likely up to Krishna; A.P. on high alert, says Naidu

People brave rain and strong winds as high waves lash the shore in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said cyclone Arnab was expected to affect coastal districts from Srikakulam to Krishna, with the latest forecasts indicating a shift in its projected path. While initial predictions suggested that the cyclone could affect areas up to Bapatla district, subsequent assessments indicated that its impact would extend only up to Krishna district, he said.

Addressing the media at his camp office at Undavalli in Guntur district after reviewing the State government’s preparedness, Mr. Naidu said authorities were on high alert and taking precautionary measures to minimise loss of life and property. Schools in the affected districts would remain closed on Wednesday as well, he announced.

The cyclone had been placed under the red alert category, but people need not panic as the government was fully prepared to deal with the situation, he said. Heavy rainfall and strong winds were expected across coastal districts, with the cyclone likely to cross the coast near Yanam, close to Kakinada.

Rainfall had already begun in North Andhra, with coastal areas likely to receive further heavy downpours on Tuesday night and Wednesday. Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, Manyam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Kakinada were among the areas facing the possibility of severe impacts. Extremely heavy rainfall was forecast in several locations, with Srikakulam likely to receive 30 cm, West Godavari 28 cm and Visakhapatnam 23 cm.

Mr. Naidu said 290 cyclone shelters had been established and 84,396 people evacuated to safer locations. More than 30,000 fishing boats had been brought back from the sea, while 93 Andhra Pradesh boats and their crews were safe at Gopalpur in Odisha. As many as 1,316 ambulances had been kept ready, and around 5,000 pregnant women had been shifted to primary health centres, community health centres and nearby hospitals.

The government had mobilised 8,400 personnel to restore electricity in the event of disruptions and made preparations for the possible collapse of up to 15,000 power poles. Teams of the National and State Disaster Response Forces, the Navy and the Coast Guard had also been alerted.

The Chief Minister warned that heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in the Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers and inundate low-lying coastal areas. Authorities were monitoring water flows and preparing to deal with breaches in tanks. Drones would be deployed to deliver food and medicines to inundated villages, he said.

Agriculture could also suffer significant damage, with 7.16 lakh hectares of crop area and 16 lakh hectares of horticultural crops potentially affected. The government had arranged drinking water, generators and essential supplies for vulnerable communities.

Urging residents of coastal villages, islands and low-lying areas to move to cyclone shelters, Mr. Naidu advised people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from overflowing streams and other watercourses. Control rooms were functioning round the clock, with cyclone bulletins being issued every hour, he said.

The government’s priority was to protect lives and minimise property damage, Mr. Naidu said, assuring people that officials would continue to monitor the situation throughout the night.

Published - October 27, 2026 08:49 pm IST