Three killed in Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Arnab makes landfall
A central government assessment team visited Vijayawada to evaluate damage estimated at Rs 4,764 crore.
Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on Wednesday, resulting in three deaths and damage to 31 houses in Andhra Pradesh, according to a National Disaster Response Force officer quoted by Scroll.
The India Meteorological Department said the very severe cyclonic storm weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after completing landfall. The storm's centre moved over land between 2 am and 8 am, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125 kmph to 135 kmph.
In Odisha, the government evacuated more than 30,000 people as the cyclone was expected to affect all southern districts, according to The Indian Express. Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said Malkangiri was likely to bear the brunt of the impact.
A seven-member Central Government assessment team, led by Ministry of Home Affairs Joint Secretary Chittaranjan Dash, visited the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) Centre on Saturday to assess damage. The New Indian Express reported that preliminary assessments put the damage in Andhra Pradesh at Rs 4,764 crore.
The damage included 7,382 houses, 2,491 km of state roads, and crops belonging to 4.63 lakh farmers. Twelve districts reported damage, with Konaseema and West Godavari among the worst affected.
As a precaution, Indian Railways cancelled at least 64 trains on Tuesday and Wednesday. IndiGo and Air India also reported that flight operations to and from Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam may be affected.