Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu visited cyclone-affected areas in the state in the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab, which made landfall along the state’s coast on October 28. The Chief Minister said that at least seven people were killed in the cyclone. A preliminary estimate puts the losses caused by the cyclone at Rs 4,600 crore, he said, adding that the figure could increase after a detailed assessment.
On October 29, CM Naidu carried out an aerial survey over cyclone-affected areas in the Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district. He inspected the relief centres at Gachakayalapora village in Mummidivaram constituency and interacted with cyclone victims.
Addressing the media, the CM announced that Central teams would visit the state on October 30 to assess the cyclone damage. He said that he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the cyclone situation and the measures taken by the state government, and submitted a preliminary damage report to the Union government.
Naidu announced that a compensation of Rs 1,500 will be provided for each damaged coconut tree and each damaged oil palm tree. Families returning from relief camps will be given 25 kg of rice, a packet of essential commodities and financial assistance for their immediate expenses.
Farmers will receive compensation if their yields decline due to the cyclone, he said. Extensive crop damage has been reported in 16 districts, with West Godavari, Kakinada, East Godavari, Konaseema and Krishna districts being affected the most.
Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema and West Godavari districts have been worst affected by the cyclone. Around 8,000 electricity poles fell in Konaseema district alone. Andhra Pradesh has requested the Telangana government to send 1,000 electricity department personnel to assist with restoration work.
The rainfall received between October 26 and 29 is estimated to have brought approximately 380 tmc of water to the state.
Meanwhile, former CM and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the TDP-led government had failed to provide timely relief to farmers. He questioned how crop losses were being assessed remotely without officials visiting fields.
He alleged that the government’s crop loss figures kept changing, while power restoration and field-level assessment remained incomplete.
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.