Cyclone Arnab Havoc: Rahul Gandhi Expresses Grief, Urges Swift Relief
LoP Rahul Gandhi urges swift relief for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha after Cyclone Arnab causes devastation and flooding.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has expressed deep concern and grief over the loss of lives and widespread devastation triggered by Cyclone Arnab. The powerful storm has left a trail of destruction across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, prompting the political leader to call for immediate government intervention to support the victims.
Call for Urgent Rehabilitation
Taking to the social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the disaster. He highlighted the immense suffering of those who have been stripped of their homes, livelihoods, and sense of security due to the cyclone and subsequent flooding.
"Deeply concerned by the devastation caused by Cyclone Arnab in Andhra Pradesh and the heavy rainfall and flooding in Odisha. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones," Gandhi stated.
He further urged the respective governments to ensure that relief and rehabilitation efforts are carried out swiftly to help affected families recover during this challenging period.
Central Government's Response
In response to the crisis, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured the affected states of full assistance. He confirmed that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) are currently on the ground executing rescue and relief operations.
Amit Shah revealed that he has been in communication with the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh to coordinate efforts and mitigate the hardships faced by the citizens in the wake of the disaster.
Ground Report: Odisha’s Situation
In Odisha, the impact has been particularly severe in the Southern Division. Vijay Amruta Kulange, the Revenue Divisional Commissioner for the region in Brahmapur, identified the Gajapati and Ganjam districts as the most affected areas.
According to Kulange, the administration took proactive measures to prevent loss of life:
- Residents from vulnerable zones were evacuated and moved to safe shelters.
- Livestock, including cattle, were relocated to secure locations.
- Shelters have been equipped with essential medical supplies, food, and drinking water.
While waterlogging has been reported in agricultural fields and the Rushikulya River is flowing at high levels, Kulange noted that no casualties have been recorded in his specific jurisdiction so far.
Transport Disruptions and Rail Cancellations
The fury of Cyclone Arnab has also crippled transportation. The South Coast Railway (SCoR) was forced to temporarily suspend train operations on the Visakhapatnam–Bhubaneswar mainline due to heavy floodwater surges under a railway bridge.
Y Balaji Kiran, the Chief Public Relations Officer of South Coast Railway, explained that water levels rose dangerously beneath bridge number 1052 between Ichchapuram and Jhadupudi stations. This precautionary measure resulted in:
- The cancellation of approximately nine short-distance trains.
- The diversion of about 16 other services.
Railway officials are currently monitoring the situation round-the-clock to manage passenger traffic and restore normalcy as soon as it is safe to do so.