Police chief honors disaster force for cyclone Arnab rescue work

UPDATE - follow-up to APSDRF rescues eight, evacuates 341 during Cyclone Arnab relief efforts: Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta presented awards to Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response Force personnel at the police headquarters in Mangalagiri on Monday. The ceremony followed a briefing by Inspector General of Police (Operations) Ch. Srikanth and senior Andhra Pradesh Special Police officers on the force’s actions during the storm. APSDRF deployed eleven special teams comprising 328 officers from October 27 to November 1 across districts including Bapatla, Konaseema, Kakinada, Srikakulam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, West Godavari, East Godavari, Polavaram and Anakapalli. Teams cleared 728 fallen trees, opened roads at 58 sites and removed 31 downed electricity poles to allow emergency vehicles through. The state’s Dial‑112 control room logged 369 cyclone‑related emergency calls from 17 districts. Coordinated efforts rescued 40 stranded bus passengers in flood‑water‑covered Srikakulam and saved eight fishermen caught in the surge. DGP Gupta praised the force’s courage and dedication, calling their service a source of pride for the police department, and handed out medals and cash rewards for outstanding bravery. The recognitions underscore the coordinated disaster‑response framework that helped protect lives during Cyclone Arnab.

Context

The APSDRF is a specialised unit that handles natural‑disaster rescue and relief. Dial‑112 is the state emergency helpline that channels distress calls to responders. Award ceremonies like this are a way to acknowledge bravery and encourage continued readiness.