Andhra Pradesh releases Rs 27 crore for Cyclone Arnab relief operations, deploys 15 NDRF teams

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday released Rs 27 crore to 20 districts for relief operations as Cyclone Arnab is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to the state, while 15 NDRF teams have been deployed across vulnerable locations ahead of the storm's anticipated landfall on October 28.

The IMD said the storm was likely to intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours and move northwestwards after the evening of October 27. It is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28, with maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph.

Rs 2 crore each have been released to Bapatla, Krishna, Konaseema, East and West Godavari, Kakinada and Anakapalli districts for relief and response measures, a release from Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) said.


Special Chief Secretary of the Disaster Management Department G Sai Prasad issued orders sanctioning Rs 1 crore each to Srikakulam, Markapuram, Guntur, NTR, Eluru, Alluri, Polavaram, Manyam, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Sri Sathya Sai, Nellore and Tirupati districts.

As many as 15 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been stationed across Kakinada, Nadipudi in Amalapuram, Konaseema, Rajahmundry in East Godavari, Eluru, Narsapuram in West Godavari, Machilipatnam in Krishna district and Nakkapalli in Anakapalli district.

Of these teams, two have been deployed at Yanam while three each are stationed at the NDRF Battalion Headquarters in Krishna district and the Regional Response Centre in Visakhapatnam.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on October 27 and 28.

Gale winds reaching speeds of up to 100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph, are likely at isolated places on October 27, while winds of about 125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, are forecast for October 28, said the Met department.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely during the period, with strong winds and heavy rainfall expected in parts of the state, it said, adding that heavy rainfall warnings continue for subsequent days at isolated places.

In Rayalaseema, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at isolated places, accompanied by thunderstorms and winds reaching about 40 kmph, gusting to 50 kmph, the Met department added.

The Fire Department has also made arrangements with 115 wood-cutting teams, 13 boat rescue teams, 76 ASKA lights, 853 life buoys and 1,328 life jackets to respond to emergencies, APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain said.

According to Jain, the funds sanctioned by the state government will be used for relief operations, shifting people to rehabilitation centres, supplying drinking water, food and milk, conducting health camps, maintaining sanitation and carrying out emergency repairs to roads and other infrastructure.