Andhra Pradesh Opens Hundreds of School Relief Shelters as Cyclone Arnab Makes Landfall

Storm Landfall

Cyclone Arnab made landfall near Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh early Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds across the region. According to the India Meteorological Department, the severe storm crossed the coast with maximum sustained wind speeds reaching 135 kilometres per hour and gusts up to 150 kilometres per hour.

School Shelters

The Andhra Pradesh School Education Department activated 609 school campuses across the State as temporary relief shelters. Officials identified 150 schools vulnerable to flooding and flagged another 78 buildings for potential structural collapse. Authorities ordered school holidays in 16 coastal districts as a precaution, while deploying 17,054 student volunteers from the National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme, and Scouts to assist with emergency preparations.

Evacuations and Official Action

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stated that more than 84,000 people have been evacuated to 290 shelters across the affected districts. The state government directed 32,000 officials to clear fallen trees within two hours and restore disrupted power supplies quickly. The National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard remain on high alert to handle any emergencies.

Context

Tropical cyclones frequently affect India's eastern coastline during the post-monsoon months, bringing intense rainfall and destructive winds that require large-scale evacuations. State disaster management authorities coordinate round-the-clock monitoring and emergency shelters in vulnerable coastal districts to minimize risks to human life and public infrastructure.