NDRF, SDRF Teams Deployed Across 14 Districts: How Andhra Pradesh Is Preparing For Cyclone Arnab

With Cyclone Arnab expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast in the next 24 hours, the state has been put on high alert

With Cyclone Arnab expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast in the next 24 hours, the state has been put on high alert. Along with heavy rain showers across the state, rough sea conditions have been reported along the coast, with waves likely to rise 1–2 metres.

Officials told CNN-News18 that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh, and Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha are continuously reviewing cyclone preparedness.

Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal, and is now expected to move northwestwards before crossing the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

On Tuesday, October 27, heavy rains accompanied by strong winds hit Visakhapatnam, with officials ramping up measures to ensure public safety.

How Is Government Preparing For The Cyclone?

In Andhra Pradesh, 12 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 10 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed across 14 districts for rescue and relief operations. A total of 2,131 cyclone shelters have also been established across 20 districts.

In addition, cyclone alerts are continuously being delivered to 2.70 crore mobile phones across 18 districts. 30,043 fishing boats have been kept off the sea. 1,087 medical teams deployed in cyclone-affected areas, officials told CNN-News18.

Authorities have readied 8,281 emergency beds and 1,274 ambulances for swift response to any untoward incident. Along with this, hospitals have been stocked with 21,536 doses of anti-snake venom to deal with snakebite emergencies.

As many as 1,351 pregnant women have already been safely shifted to hospitals.

2,613 drinking water tankers, 2,430 generators and 4,448 RO plants have been kept ready. Essential commodities sufficient for two months have been stocked in advance at 14,686 ration shops.

In view of the extreme weather conditions triggered by Cyclone Arnab, advisories have been issued to 35.96 lakh farmers to protect their crops from potential damage.

Meanwhile, government hostels remain under continuous monitoring, with special focus on 419 tribal hostels. Advance arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of 88,083 students staying in hostels.

Roads and Buildings Department has readied 550 JCBs and 596 electric saws for emergency operations, with authorities continuously monitoring conditions at 1,079 reservoirs.