Cyclone Arnab Causes Estimated Loss of ₹4,600 Crore in Andhra Pradesh, Says CM N. Chandrababu Naidu

According to The Hindu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reported on Thursday that preliminary assessments place the estimated loss from Cyclone Arnab at ₹4,600 crore. Mr. Naidu conducted an aerial survey of affected areas in the Krishna and Godavari regions and visited Cheyyeru village in Katrenikona mandal within the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district.

Assessment and Relief Measures

During interactions with flood victims at Gacchakayala Pora village in Mummidivaram mandal, the Chief Minister stated that prior cyclone preparedness helped limit the loss of life, reporting seven casualties. He also mentioned briefing Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the extent of the damage.

Key relief and support announcements include:

• A compensation of ₹1,500 for each fallen coconut and oil palm tree affected by the cyclone.
• Input subsidies and further compensation to be finalized following the enumeration of agricultural and horticultural crop damage.
• Distribution of a 25-kg rice bag and cash assistance to families relocated to relief camps.
• A Central team scheduled to visit Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema and West Godavari districts on Friday to evaluate the damage.

Infrastructure Restoration

Addressing severe infrastructural damage, particularly the uprooting of at least 8,000 electric poles in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, the government is mobilizing external assistance for power restoration.

• The Telangana government has been requested to deploy 1,000 personnel to accelerate power supply restoration.
• Additional requests for 2,000 personnel from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka may be made if necessary, primarily for the Godavari region.
• Power supply is expected to resume by Saturday, supported by machinery brought in from other States for quick pole installation.
• Authorities are also exploring the long-term viability of installing underground power cables in cyclone-vulnerable areas and addressing the Kunavaram drain blockage to prevent future crop inundation.

Officials present during the assessment included Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar. Citizens can verify the original announcement through official Andhra Pradesh government releases and subsequent reporting by verified news outlets.