India
oi-Ashish Rana
Andhra Pradesh has suffered damage worth Rs 4,600 crore due to Cyclone Arnab, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Friday. He said the state has submitted a preliminary report to the Centre and assured financial help to families, farmers and fishermen affected by the storm.
Cyclone Arnab caused Rs 4,600 crore damage in Andhra Pradesh and claimed seven lives, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reported Friday. A preliminary damage report was sent to the Centre, with aid promised to affected families, farmers, and fishermen, alongside ongoing power restoration and Rs 7,000 farmer credits.
Naidu made the statement while visiting a cyclone shelter in West Godavari district. He said the government was taking steps to restore power and other essential services.
“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.
Cyclone Arnab Claims Seven Lives, Rs 5 Lakh Compensation Announced
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.
Over 15,000 Electricity Poles Uprooted, Power Restoration Underway
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.
Farmers And Fishermen To Receive Cyclone Relief
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.
Rs 7,000 Credited To Farmers Under PM-Kisan Scheme
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.
