Visakhapatnam faced severe disruption on Tuesday as Cyclone Arnab unleashed heavy rain and strong winds, forcing the city to a near standstill. The cyclone, approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, prompted the closure of schools, anganwadi centres, and beaches, while residents were urged to remain indoors for safety.
The downpour resulted in significant rainfall, with Gopalapatnam recording the highest at 206.8 mm. The adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of 102 bus services, and the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) reported that 206 trees had fallen within its limits, of which 55 were cleared by 6 p.m.
Power outages further compounded the challenges, with 51 of the 103 emergency calls received by authorities related to electricity disruptions. By evening, only 17 of these calls had been addressed. Gusty winds ranging from 40 kmph to 50 kmph were recorded, with expectations of speeds reaching up to 100 kmph later in the night.
District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore announced that 85 people had been relocated to relief centers, where 72 food packets were distributed. The administration prioritized the safety of residents in vulnerable coastal and hilly areas, moving them to safer locations as necessary.
Emergency response efforts included the deployment of a National Disaster Response Force team, 63 earth movers, 30 tree-cutting teams, 50 generators, and 75 rescue boats. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard were actively coordinating support operations.
During his inspection of Mangamaripeta beach and a relief center at the Upper GVMC Primary School, Kishore emphasized the need for essential services such as drinking water, food, and power, particularly for the elderly, women, children, and pregnant women. He also visited the command control room at the Collectorate, where he requested hourly updates on the situation.
In a teleconference with officials, Kishore directed the immediate removal of fallen trees to ensure road accessibility and instructed the use of public address systems to alert residents in vulnerable areas. He mandated that all department officials remain on the ground and maintain coordination with control rooms at the Collectorate, GVMC, police, and power utility.
The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam early Wednesday, with heavy rain anticipated to persist throughout the day. Educational institutions will remain closed, and fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea until October 29.
Residents seeking assistance can contact the Collectorate control room at 0891-2590100 or 0891-2590102, and the GVMC at 9914218870 or 1800-4250-0009.
