Cyclone Arnab weakens after Andhra landfall, leaving three dead and widespread damage

UPDATE - follow-up to Very severe cyclone Arnab crosses Andhra coast, weakens into severe cyclonic storm: IMD | LIVE: Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts early Wednesday near Narsapur, weakening from a very severe storm into a severe cyclonic storm and later a deep depression.

Casualties And Relief

At least three people died in cyclone-related incidents, including a man killed by a falling tree in Bhimavaram and two electrocutions in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts. According to the NDRF, about 57,000 people were moved to relief camps in Andhra Pradesh, alongside 48,000 in neighbouring Odisha, while around 31 homes were damaged.

Crop And Property Damage

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a Central damage-assessment team, reporting that paddy on over 70,900 hectares and horticulture crops on 10,450 hectares were damaged or underwater. Thirty-eight flights at Visakhapatnam airport were cancelled, and train operations saw diversions and cancellations as trees fell across the rail network.

Wider Impact

Heavy rains also hit Telangana, where eight districts received rainfall and four were placed under an orange alert. In Jharkhand, administrations closed schools in Ranchi, West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum and Simdega. Meanwhile, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier named Sigma Pearl became stranded near the Ravva oil field off the Konaseema-Kakinada coast following an engine failure.

Context

Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal frequently cause severe coastal damage through heavy winds, storm surges, and torrential rains. Early evacuations by authorities help prevent higher casualties during such severe weather events.