Cyclone Arnab Weakens Over Odisha; Rayagada on High Alert Amid Andhra Devastation
Cyclone Arnab weakens over Odisha's Rayagada, but Andhra Pradesh reports severe crop loss and flooding. Read the latest updates on relief and rescues.
The immediate danger from Cyclone Arnab has begun to subside in Odisha as the system weakened, though authorities in the Rayagada district remain on high alert. While the storm's intensity has dipped, the aftermath in neighboring Andhra Pradesh tells a story of significant destruction, with massive crop losses and emergency rescue operations.
Rayagada Breathes Sigh of Relief
In Odisha's Rayagada district, the heavy downpours that were feared have eased significantly. District Collector Ashutosh Kulkarni reported that the rainfall was far lower than initial projections. According to the data, the region recorded 40 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 AM on Wednesday, followed by another 26 mm through the evening.
"It has been quite less than what we had expected. Even now, as the rains have subsided, no major threat exists now," stated Collector Kulkarni.
Despite the receding threat, the administration is not letting its guard down. Local departments remain mobilized and on standby, as there is still a possibility of sporadic rainfall in the region.
Havoc in Andhra Pradesh: 70,000 Hectares of Crops Submerged
While Odisha avoided the worst, Andhra Pradesh bore the brunt of Cyclone Arnab's fury. Strong winds and torrential rains led to widespread chaos, with numerous trees uprooted across several districts.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held a telephonic discussion with Union Minister Amit Shah to brief him on the scale of the disaster. The CM highlighted the devastation in the following districts:
- Visakhapatnam
- Konaseema
- Kakinada
- East Godavari
- West Godavari
- Eluru
- Krishna
The agricultural impact has been catastrophic, with preliminary estimates suggesting that over 70,000 hectares of crops have been inundated. CM Naidu has requested the Central Government to deploy assessment teams immediately and provide necessary financial and logistical support for relief and restoration work.
Heroic Rescues and Transport Disruptions
The cyclone triggered severe flooding in rural areas, leading to daring rescue missions. In the Dharmapuri village of Vizianagaram mandal, five people found themselves trapped inside a house completely surrounded by floodwaters. Under the leadership of DSP S Lakshmana Murthy and other police personnel, a successful rescue operation was carried out to bring the trapped individuals to safety.
The storm also crippled the railway network. Between October 27 and November 5, at least 22 express and passenger train services were cancelled or suspended. Major affected routes include:
- Visakhapatnam-Kirandul
- Rourkela-Jagdalpur
- Howrah-Jagdalpur Samaleswari Express (departure dates rescheduled)
Current Status of the Storm
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that Cyclonic Storm Arnab, which had previously been a severe cyclonic storm, was centered over coastal Andhra Pradesh and the west-central Bay of Bengal by Wednesday evening. IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty noted that the cyclone has now crossed the coast and is entirely over land, though she warned that wind speeds and rainfall could still increase in southern Odisha.