Cyclone Arnab: Andhra Pradesh bears the brunt as 3 dead, 31 houses damaged; 57,000 evacuated

Andhra Pradesh reported three deaths and damage to 31 houses after cyclone Arnab made landfall, while 57,000 people were evacuated to relief camps, NDRF IG said.

A view of the unusually high waves hitting the coast in Visakhapatnam | ANI

New Delhi: Soon after cyclone Arnab made landfall, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Inspector General N. S. Bundela said Andhra Pradesh is the worst-hit state, with over 30 houses damaged and 3 people reported dead. 

“Since cyclone Arnab made landfall, north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha have been most affected by rainfall. As per information received, 31 houses were damaged and 3 people died in Andhra Pradesh since the storm hit,” Bundela said at a  press conference Wednesday.

As per the NDRF chief, Visakhapatnam, Vijaynagram, Anakapalli, and Shrikapullam were hit hardest by the rain in Andhra Pradesh, while Koraput, Ganjam and Gajpati witnessed the most rain in Odisha. 

“At present the NDRF, SDRF and emergency response teams are all activated in both states. Additionally, the Indian Air Force conducted two sorties Tuesday night to deploy four more NDRF teams to Andhra Pradesh,” the NDRF team said. 

Bundela added that 764 villages in Andhra Pradesh have been affected as of Wednesday morning and 57,000 people have already been evacuated and shifted to relief camps. “Through historical data we identified low-lying areas and vulnerable spots. The rescue teams had already moved pregnant women to hospitals, and conducted evacuation operations prioritising women, children and the elderly,” he said. 

A view of the unusually rough sea, as strong winds and rainfall caused by Cyclone Arnab buffet the east coast at Gopalpur, in Ganjam district | ANI

He also said that while the rainfall first impacted Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh will also be impacted. 

“As per information, what has begun as a severe cyclone will change to a deep depression by evening and might impact Jharkhand and Chattisgarh,” he added. 

“At present there are 39 NDRF teams and 80 SDRF teams in Andhra Pradesh and more will be deployed as needed in other states as well. The teams have identified and evacuated people, and removed billboards and boats from vulnerable areas,” he added. 

(Edited by Viny Mishra)