India
Andhra Pradesh Prepares 84,000 Evacuations as Cyclone Arnab Approaches
Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, announced on Tuesday that the state government is fully prepared for Cyclone Arnab, a red‑alert weather system expected to strike the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by Wednesday morning. The cyclone is projected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds—125 to 135 km/h—across a large stretch of the coastline from Srikakulam to Bapatla, with Yanam near Kakinada likely to be affected.
Naidu said 290 cyclone shelters had been established and 84,396 people were moved to safer locations. Residents of vulnerable coastal villages, islands and low‑lying areas were urged to stay indoors or relocate to designated shelters. The government has also recalled more than 30,000 fishing boats, with 93 boats and crews already safe at Gopalpur in Odisha.
The state has activated emergency‑response arrangements, coordinating with the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Navy and Coast Guard. Control rooms at state and district levels are operating 24/7, and hourly cyclone‑warning bulletins are being issued.
Medical and essential services are being secured: 1,316 ambulances are on standby, about 5,000 pregnant women have been shifted to health centres, and safe drinking water will be supplied by tankers with generators ready for power disruptions. Roughly 8,400 personnel are prepared for electricity emergencies, with estimates that up to 15,000 poles could be damaged.
The cyclone could impact approximately 7.16 lakh hectares of agricultural crops and 16 lakh hectares of horticultural crops. Ration supplies are being distributed to children and lactating mothers through Anganwadi centres.
Air travel has been disrupted: Bhogapuram airport cancelled 16 flights to destinations including Delhi, Hyderabad, Kurnool, Tirupati, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Chennai; Vijayawada International Airport cancelled six flights and all IndiGo services scheduled for Wednesday, along with an Air India flight to Delhi and two Fly91 services to Hyderabad. Passengers are advised to check flight status with airlines before heading to the airports.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have been evacuated for Cyclone Arnab?
84,396 people were moved to safer locations.
How many cyclone shelters have been established in Andhra Pradesh?
290 cyclone shelters have been established.
What measures have been taken for fishing boats?
More than 30,000 fishing boats were recalled, with 93 boats and crews already safe at Gopalpur in Odisha.