Cyclone Arnab wreaks havoc in Andhra Pradesh, where is it heading now?

New Delhi: Cyclone Arnab has wreaked havoc in Andhra Pradesh. Five people were killed and crops and public infrastructure were extensively damaged as the severe cyclonic storm swept through the state's coastal areas early Wednesday. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The state government also announced financial assistance for affected farmers.

Chief Minister Naidu reviewed the situation at the Real Time Governance System (RTGS) center in the state secretariat on Wednesday evening. He then told reporters that the storm had caused loss of life and property in several districts. According to initial estimates, approximately 15,000 electricity poles were uprooted across the state. Thousands of hectares of standing crops were submerged or damaged.

The storm has now made landfall in Odisha, though its intensity has diminished. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi warned that after wreaking havoc in Andhra Pradesh, Malkangiri could be further affected as the cyclone moves towards Odisha. "The government is focusing on Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur districts," the chief minister said.

How many people died where?

According to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, five people have lost their lives due to the cyclone. Three of these deaths occurred in Visakhapatnam district when electricity poles and trees fell on them. Additionally, one person each died in Anakapalli and Bhimavaram. Naidu expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to each family.

3.45 lakh farmers affected, crops on 2.24 lakh hectares affected

The cyclone and accompanying rains have also caused significant damage to the agricultural sector. According to the Chief Minister, initial estimates indicate that approximately 3.45 lakh farmers have been affected. Standing crops covering 224,489 hectares in 14 districts of the state have been submerged or damaged.

The Chief Minister has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah detailing the damage to crops and infrastructure. He stated that agricultural and horticultural crops are estimated to have been damaged across approximately 70,900 hectares, including paddy. Crops have been reported submerged or damaged across approximately 10,450 hectares.

How much compensation will the affected farmers get?
The state government has announced financial assistance for farmers affected by the cyclone, depending on the type of crop and the extent of damage.

• Assistance of Rs 25,000 per hectare will be given for cotton and sugarcane crops.
• In case of loss to banana cultivation, Rs 15,000 per hectare will be given.
• Assistance of Rs 25,000 has been announced for tomato crop.
• Farmers of other crops will get financial assistance as per their respective categories under the government's relief scheme.

The Chief Minister clarified that these damage figures are based on preliminary assessments. They are subject to change after field surveys are completed. After verification, the state government will submit a detailed report of the damage to the central government.

180 houses damaged, more than 220 trees fell on the roads

The cyclone has damaged power systems, as well as homes and roads. According to the Chief Minister, approximately 180 houses have been reported damaged, most of them in Konaseema district. More than 220 trees fell on state roads. More than 170 of these had been removed by Wednesday afternoon. Damage to road infrastructure in coastal areas was also reported.

The Chief Minister said the storm's impact was particularly felt in coastal areas of the Godavari Delta, including Konaseema, Kakinada, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, and Anakapalli districts. Four wards in Visakhapatnam were waterlogged. Fire and emergency service personnel received more than 220 calls to deal with incidents like falling trees.

More than 28 thousand people were evacuated to safer places

In response to the cyclone threat, the state government launched a massive relief and rescue operation. According to the Chief Minister, as a precautionary measure, more than 28,000 people were evacuated to relief camps. All fishing boats were also called back to port.