Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu reviews Cyclone Arnab’s impact with 32,000 officials, orders crop damage assessment, road clearance and swift power restoration.
CM holds teleconference with 32,000 officials and field staff
Directs preliminary crop damage assessment and expedited relief operations
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday reviewed the impact of Cyclone Arnab and the relief and restoration measures being undertaken across the State through a teleconference involving around 32,000 personnel, from district collectors to field-level staff.
The Chief Minister, who reviewed the cyclone situation until 1.30 a.m., held the teleconference at 6.30 a.m. to assess the progress of emergency response operations and direct officials to restore normalcy in affected areas at the earliest.
During a separate review with senior officials, Mr. Naidu enquired about the extent of crop damage and directed the authorities to prepare preliminary estimates. He also instructed officials to brief the Union government on the measures taken by the State to manage the cyclone’s impact.
According to the preliminary information received by the government, no loss of life had been reported. The Chief Minister said advance precautionary measures taken by the administration had helped prevent casualties.
Appreciating officials and field-level personnel for working throughout the night to minimise inconvenience to the public, Mr. Naidu urged them to maintain the same commitment until the cyclone’s impact subsided and normal conditions were restored.
He directed the administration to reassure residents in affected areas that the government was taking all necessary steps to ensure their safety and provide relief.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to clear fallen trees blocking roads and restore traffic movement within two hours. Trees obstructing national highways should be removed on a real-time basis to prevent prolonged disruption to transport.
Electricity supply in affected areas should be restored as soon as strong winds subside and weather conditions permit, he said, stressing that restoration teams must act promptly while adhering to safety procedures.
He also directed officials to ensure adequate food, drinking water and medical facilities at cyclone shelters.
With concerns over possible agricultural losses, the Chief Minister instructed officials to take measures to prevent water from entering agricultural fields and protect horticultural crops from damage.
Authorities were also asked to strengthen preventive measures to avert breaches in tanks and irrigation canals. Preliminary crop damage estimates are to be prepared to assess the impact on farmers and support further relief planning.
Mr. Naidu called for effective use of the Mana Mitra system to receive information about field-level problems and ensure that complaints reach the appropriate authorities.
Officials were instructed to resolve grievances promptly and inform complainants once the issues had been addressed. He stressed that close coordination among departments was essential to ensure timely assistance and prevent avoidable hardship to residents.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were directed to remain on standby to respond to emergencies.
The Chief Minister emphasised that all departments must continue relief, restoration and rehabilitation operations until normal conditions return across cyclone-affected areas.
