Cyclone Arnab Weakens to Deep Depression as Authorities Deploy Relief Measures in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
The India Meteorological Department reported that Cyclone Arnab has downgraded to a deep depression and is expected to further weaken, while state officials coordinate relief and restoration efforts across affected districts.
The India Meteorological Department said Cyclone Arnab has weakened into a deep depression and is "very likely" to further weaken into a depression later on October 29, before becoming a low-pressure area in the evening. The system, which made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on Wednesday, had earlier caused heavy rainfall, strong winds and power outages in several districts.
In Telangana, the meteorological bulletin identified twelve districts – including Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial and Warangal – as likely to experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds on Thursday. Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, the Visakhapatnam district administration ordered the closure of all schools on Thursday and directed officials to accelerate the restoration of electricity, drinking water, sanitation, healthcare and road connectivity.
"We are ready to provide personnel and essential materials for restoring the damaged power supply infrastructure," Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Bhatti Vikramarka told Andhra Pradesh Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar.
"The relief and restoration operations are being carried out under the guidance of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu," Ravi Kumar said, thanking Telangana for its support.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu appealed to the central government for assistance and briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the cyclone’s impact. He announced a relief and compensation package for affected families, farmers, fishermen and businesses, and named five victims from the Visakhapatnam region.
The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission postponed local body elections in two districts from November 3 to November 5, citing the cyclone’s impact, while keeping the November 1 polling date for urban local bodies unchanged.
In Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reported that heavy rainfall from the storm affected 17 districts, and the state remains prepared for further weather developments.
Relief centres in Visakhapatnam district housed at least 554 people, including 260 in Pendurthi, with pregnant women moved to hospitals as a precaution.