Matrevu (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 30 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said the state has submitted a preliminary assessment to the Centre stating that very severe cyclonic storm Arnab had inflicted damage worth Rs 4,600 crore to the state.
He also assured compensation and relief to affected families, farmers and fishermen.
Speaking to reporters after visiting a cyclone shelter here in West Godavari district, the Chief Minister said the government was working to restore essential services and provide assistance to people who suffered losses.
“The preliminary assessment puts the damage caused by very severe cyclonic storm Arnab at Rs 4,600 crore. We have submitted the report to the Centre and will ensure compensation and relief reach all affected families, farmers and fishermen,” Naidu said.
The cyclone claimed seven lives despite precautionary measures, Naidu said, announcing compensation of Rs 5 lakh to each bereaved family.
He said the government had coordinated preparedness across departments before the cyclone, with officials kept on alert through repeated teleconferences and overnight reviews. The administration also monitored the possibility of heavy inflows into reservoirs and tanks to prepare for potential flooding.
Power infrastructure suffered extensive damage, with more than 15,000 electricity poles uprooted across affected areas. West Godavari alone reported around 12,500 fallen trees, while coconut plantations and paddy fields also suffered damage, he said.
The government aims to restore electricity supply completely by Saturday evening, with household connections being prioritised, followed by agricultural consumers. Additional electricity personnel from Telangana were being brought in to accelerate restoration, the Chief Minister said.
Naidu said mobile connectivity had also been affected after private telecom towers lost power supply. The government was taking steps to restore communication services, while clearing fallen trees to reopen roads and remove obstructions.
Assuring assistance to the farming community, he said crop losses, including damage to agricultural and horticultural plantations, would be assessed. Farmers who had insured their crops would be able to claim compensation for losses in yield, and he urged others to take up crop insurance.
The government would also extend support to fishermen affected by the cyclone, he said, adding that relief and rehabilitation work had already begun.
Rice and other essential commodities were being distributed to affected families. Naidu said a detailed assessment would follow the preliminary report submitted to the Centre to ensure that all those who suffered losses received assistance.
He also acknowledged the role of state and Central government personnel in relief operations, saying coordinated efforts and public participation had helped address the cyclone’s impact.
The chief minister said the government had continued to prioritise cyclone-hit communities despite the local body election process, ensuring that affected people received essential assistance.
Separately, Naidu said Rs 7,000 had been credited to farmers’ accounts on Friday as the second instalment of the second year under the PM-Kisan Annadata Sukhibhava scheme. The government had promised annual assistance of Rs 20,000 in three instalments, he said.
He also referred to the modernisation of the Godavari delta as a measure to prevent inundation in the region.
Following the interaction, Naidu distributed relief kits containing rice, red gram, cooking oil, potatoes and other essential supplies to people staying at the cyclone shelter. PTI MS ADB
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