Cyclone Arnab Havoc: Amit Shah Pledges Full Support to Hit States
Home Minister Amit Shah coordinates relief for Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh following the devastation of cyclonic storm Arnab.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has stepped in to coordinate a massive relief effort following the devastation caused by cyclonic storm Arnab. In a series of high-level discussions held on October 29, 2026, the Home Minister engaged with the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Puducherry to assess the damage and ensure that every possible resource is deployed for recovery.
The Fury of Cyclone Arnab
The severe cyclonic storm made a powerful landfall on the morning of October 28, 2026, striking the coastline between Yanam in Puducherry and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm unleashed maximum wind speeds between 125 and 135 kmph, with terrifying gusts peaking at 150 kmph.
While the storm began to weaken by October 29—transforming into a deep depression over southern Odisha and southern Chhattisgarh—the aftermath has left a trail of destruction. Meteorologists expect the system to further dissipate into a well-marked low-pressure area by Thursday evening.
Andhra Pradesh: A State in Distress
The impact in Andhra Pradesh has been particularly severe. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reported a grim toll of five fatalities. The infrastructure has taken a massive hit, with approximately 15,000 electricity poles uprooted, leaving vast areas in darkness.
The agricultural sector, the backbone of the region, has suffered immensely:
- Farmers Affected: Roughly 3.45 lakh farmers are grappling with losses.
- Crop Damage: About 70,900 hectares of horticultural and agricultural crops have been destroyed.
In a move to support the grieving families, the state government has announced an ex-gratia payment of 5 lakh rupees for the kin of those who lost their lives.
Odisha and Chhattisgarh on High Alert
Odisha has taken preemptive measures to save lives, successfully evacuating over 30,000 people from vulnerable areas. The state remains on edge, with red alerts issued for several districts, including:
- Malkangiri and Koraput
- Nabarangpur and Rayagada
- Gajapati and Kalahandi
These regions are bracing for anticipated heavy rainfall as the system lingers. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh continues to stay on alert as the weakened storm tracks northwest across the state.
Central Government's Response Plan
Home Minister Amit Shah has assured the affected states that the Centre is standing with them. He confirmed that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are currently operating on a "war footing" to conduct rescue and relief missions.
To ensure a transparent and comprehensive recovery process, the Union Government will soon dispatch Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCT). These teams will conduct on-ground evaluations of the damage to determine the exact scale of financial and material assistance required to rebuild the affected regions.