Cyclone Arnab Hits Yanam: NDRF Battles Debris as IMD Warns of 140 Kmph Gusts
NDRF works to clear fallen trees and debris in Yanam as Cyclone Arnab threatens the coast with wind speeds up to 140 kmph.
The coastal town of Yanam is currently grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab, as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) works tirelessly to clear uprooted trees and debris. The severe storm brought violent winds and heavy rainfall, leaving a trail of destruction across residential areas and rural pockets of the region.
NDRF Launches Massive Clearance Operation
Personnel from the NDRF have been deployed to restore normalcy in Yanam, where strong winds have knocked down electricity poles and uprooted numerous trees. One of the most critical operations involved a massive banyan tree that collapsed onto a house, trapping the structure under its weight.
NDRF Commander Eswar Rao Gade confirmed that a team of 30 personnel is on the ground managing the cleanup. He noted that wind speeds had exceeded 100 km/h during the peak of the storm, which caused several houses to be damaged. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported, as residents were rescued and moved to safety before the response teams arrived.
"Following the storm that struck last night, a large banyan tree has fallen; we are here to clear it. Wind speeds exceeded 100 km/h, causing many trees to fall," said Commander Gade.
Police and Administration on High Alert
Yanam Superintendent of Police (SP) Varadha Rajan stated that police forces have been on high alert since Tuesday. The administration has been coordinating closely with various departments to ensure public safety and prevent any untoward incidents.
To mitigate the risk to human life, the Revenue Department identified 19 shelters across Yanam, urging residents in vulnerable areas to relocate. SP Rajan highlighted that while the overall situation is now stabilizing, the police, NDRF, and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) are continuing to clear roads to ensure the free movement of emergency services.
IMD Warning: The Storm is Not Over
While cleanup is underway, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a sobering update. As of Wednesday morning, the very severe cyclonic storm "Arnab" remained practically stationary over the west-central Bay of Bengal, positioned off the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Current Position of the Storm:
- Narsapur (Andhra Pradesh): Approximately 30 km east.
- Yanam (Puducherry UT): Approximately 45 km south-southwest.
- Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh): Approximately 70 km south-southwest.
- Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh): Approximately 90 km east-northeast.
- Bapatla (Andhra Pradesh): Approximately 170 km east-northeast.
Imminent Threat of Landfall
The IMD warns that Cyclone Arnab is likely to move northwestwards and cross the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. The storm is expected to hit close to the south of Yanam as a very severe cyclonic storm.
The weather department has cautioned that the region could face maximum sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph, with dangerous gusts reaching up to 140 kmph. The IMD further noted that the storm is already interacting with the land surface, with the "wall cloud region" of the northern sector having already entered the mainland.