Cyclone Arnab: Educational Institutions in Visakhapatnam to Close Thursday; Authorities Speed Up Restoration

Educational institutions in Visakhapatnam will remain closed on Thursday following Cyclone Arnab, according to an announcement made by the district administration on Wednesday. District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore directed officials to accelerate restoration works concerning electricity, drinking water, sanitation, healthcare, and road connectivity to bring normalcy back to the region.

As of Wednesday, official figures indicated that at least 554 individuals were accommodated across 15 relief centres in the district, with Pendurthi alone accounting for 260 occupants. Authorities reported that all pregnant women had been safely relocated to local hospitals as a precautionary measure.

Review of Relief and Restoration Operations

District Collector Kishore, joined by GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg and Joint Collector Gobbilla Vidyadhari, conducted a review meeting at the Collectorate with representatives from 12 departments. Key directives issued during the meeting included:

• Ensuring adequate facilities and prioritizing safety for evacuees at all relief centres.
• Directing the electricity department to repair damaged power poles and restore supply promptly.
• Coordinating between GVMC and electricity officials to clear fallen trees and address public complaints.

Clearing Debris and Sanitation Measures

Field teams were instructed to remove uprooted trees, dangerous branches, unstable poles, and precariously placed hoardings from roads and footpaths. A dedicated drive is planned along Beach Road to clear debris, clean drains, and remove accumulated waste.

• GVMC was asked to intensify sanitation efforts in affected and low-lying zones, clear garbage, and sprinkle bleaching powder.
• Officials must clear blockages in drains, streams, and canals to prevent water stagnation and maintain safe drinking water supplies.

Health Camps and Ongoing Monitoring

• The health department has been scheduled to organize medical camps in impacted areas on Thursday and Friday.
• Officials are tasked with monitoring reservoir water levels, evaluating vulnerable structures, and regulating traffic in hazardous locations.

Given the forecast indicating potential further rainfall, the Collector emphasized strict field-level monitoring and inter-departmental coordination to ensure public safety and expedite recovery efforts.

To verify the official announcements and updates, residents can consult local district administration releases or official municipal portal notifications.