Naidu puts officials on high alert as cyclone nears Andhra Pradesh coast

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviews preparedness and precautionary measures to deal with Cyclone Arnab in Vijayawada on Sunday.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday reviewed the State’s preparedness to deal with the impending cyclone, directing officials to remain on high alert and minimise disruption to people’s lives.

A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and subsequently a severe cyclonic storm, according to the forecast presented at the review meeting. Ten National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 11 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been kept ready for relief and rescue operations.

Officials briefed the Chief Minister on evacuation plans, rehabilitation centres, food and drinking water supplies, medical assistance, power restoration and other precautionary measures.

The cyclone is likely to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam between the morning and afternoon of October 28. Current projections indicate a possible landfall along the Konaseema-Yanam-Kakinada coastal belt.

The system is currently located about 850 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 930 km from Kakinada. It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26, a severe cyclonic storm by that night and a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27.

Wind speeds at landfall could reach 115-125 kmph, with gusts of up to 140 kmph in some areas. Coastal districts are likely to experience strong winds from the morning of October 27.

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is forecast in North Andhra and the central coastal districts on October 27 and 28, with isolated places likely to receive exceptionally heavy rainfall.

Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema and East Godavari districts, along with other parts of North Andhra, are likely to be affected by strong winds and heavy rain.

According to projections presented at the meeting, Anakapalli district could receive an average rainfall of 292.55 mm, followed by Alluri Sitarama Raju district at 281.17 mm, Visakhapatnam at 253.87 mm and Srikakulam at 249.18 mm. The State’s average cumulative rainfall over five days is estimated at 95 mm, while the average rainfall in the affected districts could range from 22 cm to 29 cm.

Mr. Naidu instructed officials to coordinate across departments and make advance arrangements to minimise the impact on residents. He stressed the need for continuous monitoring, a high level of preparedness and advance planning.

He directed officials to ensure that all boats operating at sea returned to the coast and advised fishermen against venturing into the sea as conditions were expected to become extremely rough.

The Chief Minister also asked officials to take all necessary steps to utilise the expected flood inflows to replenish reservoirs.

Chief Secretary Sai Prasad, DGP Harish Gupta, district collectors and officials from the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) and the Agriculture, Power, Irrigation, Home, Health, Civil Supplies, Municipal Administration and Panchayat Raj departments attended the meeting.

Published - October 25, 2026 06:43 pm IST