Cyclone Arnab threat: Naidu orders evacuation, puts Andhra Pradesh on high alert
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is reviewing the precautionary measures and warning monitoring of Cyclone Arnab with the disaster management and other departmental officials in Amaravati on Monday.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered heightened alert across the state in view of the threat posed by Cyclone Arnab, which is expected to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. BC Roads and Buildings (R&B) Minister Janardhan Reddy has directed officials to ensure road safety and uninterrupted emergency response.
Also Read: Cyclone Arnab: 609 Andhra schools turned into shelters
The cyclone is expected to hit 13 districts with heavy rainfall on October 28 and 29. Wind speed of 115 to 140 kmph is forecast in 12 districts, according to the state government’s assessment.
Mr Naidu ordered officials to evacuate people from flood-prone areas, prioritize vulnerable residents and deploy disaster response teams. Measures are being prepared to transfer 4,711 pregnant women to medical facilities. Officials reported that 30,043 fishing boats had safely returned to ports.
Seven National Disaster Response Forces and eight State Disaster Response Force teams will be deployed in 11 vulnerable areas. Additional teams will be kept in reserve in NTR and Visakhapatnam districts.
The government has also directed officials to protect the harvested paddy field, protect horticulture crops in an area of 1.82 lakh hectares and ensure adequate supply of essential commodities. Warning messages will be issued every four hours. As the inflow of 22 reservoirs is expected, provision is being made to store 10 to 12 TMC of water.
The R&B department prepares for an emergency response
Mr. Janardhan Reddy said that the R&B department has been put on high alert in accordance with the instructions of the Chief Minister to ensure zero casualties.
Officials have been directed to monitor national and state highways using inputs from the Real Time Governance Society, satellite data and drone surveillance. Flood-prone roads, dangerous curves and vulnerable bridges must be identified in advance and alternative routes prepared if necessary.
Special disaster response teams will be on hand to clear fallen trees and road obstructions. Tree cutters, screeds and JCB equipment must be immediately available to quickly restore operations in the event of damage.
The leave of Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers has been cancelled. Officials have been directed to remain in the field, coordinate with district collectors and police and remain at their headquarters until the impact of the cyclone subsides. Negligence will require strict measures, the minister warned.
Barricades must be erected on vulnerable levees and weak bridges, and traffic must be suspended where necessary. Officials have also been directed to inspect relief shelters, including government schools and R&B buildings, and ensure their structural safety and availability of drinking water and other essential facilities.
Published – 26 Oct 2026 18:51 IST