Naidu Reviews Relief Work as Andhra Cyclone Recovery Continues
The Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up its response to the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab, focusing on restoring power, transport and communication services in the worst-hit areas. Officials said several departments are actively engaged on the ground.
Before touring the flood-affected parts of West Godavari district, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed relief and restoration operations. Officials told him that electricity, road and communication services are being restored step by step. Power restoration has been speeded up with assistance from other states.
Reviewing village-level relief efforts, the Chief Minister asked officials to keep working with complete dedication until all people in need have received assistance and every problem has been addressed. He said his regular communication with staff working in the field is helping the administration act quickly.
In the Eastern Power Distribution Company's area, 4,881 of the 5,404 villages that lost electricity now have supply restored. Of the 552 affected sub-stations, 513 have been reactivated, with about 93 per cent of the work done. Thirty-nine sub-stations are still awaiting restoration.
Power has been fully restored in all affected villages of Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada and Eluru. Konaseema, the most affected district, has restored power in 87 of 316 villages, and West Godavari has done so in 154 of 318 villages. Across both districts, 393 villages are still without restored power. In Krishna district, 867 of 915 affected villages are back on the grid.
Mobile services are also returning. Of 1,045 affected towers belonging to various operators, 661 are working again, leaving 384 still to be restored.
The Roads and Buildings Department has removed 2,270 trees that fell across roads, including 1,334 in Konaseema district. Traffic was disrupted at 137 locations, and 119 have been reopened. Officials said the cyclone has damaged a total of 2,425.45 kilometres of roads.
Temporary repair work has been completed at 100 sites under the Water Resources Department, covering 78 ponds and 22 canals.
Waterlogging has affected 3,52,254 hectares of agricultural land across 16 districts, and horticultural crops on 23,211 hectares have suffered losses.
An official note stated that rain between October 26 and 29 brought roughly 380 TMC of water into the state, and flooding continues. Through smart water management, 4.68 TMC of extra water has been stored in reservoirs, and another 5 to 6 TMC may be stored.