Cyclone Arnab weakens as fresh Bay system approaches Andhra coast

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclone Arnab LIVE: New Bay system likely to head for Andhra coast; 300 villages marooned in Ganjam: Cyclone Arnab has weakened into a depression over central Chhattisgarh and south Odisha, but its remnants continue to bring rain to West Bengal, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.

Damage And Relief

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stated that the cyclone caused a loss of at least Rs 4,600 crore to the state. State Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar reported a separate loss of Rs 500 crore to the electricity infrastructure alone, with 3,700 power poles uprooted in West Godavari district. In Odisha, about 300 villages remain cut off in Ganjam district, while the Bahuda river flooded Ichchapuram in north Andhra and a submerged railway bridge halted train services. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry to assure them of central support, and promised to send a Central team to Andhra Pradesh. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed deep concern over the destruction and urged swift relief and rehabilitation for affected families.

Emergency Operations

The Odisha government deployed over 300 disaster response teams across Ganjam and eight other districts. In Andhra Pradesh, the State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department cleared more than 10,000 fallen trees using 120 wood-cutting teams. The department handled 3,072 calls, including 2,463 emergency requests. Ahead of the storm, health authorities shifted 3,100 pregnant women to medical facilities, resulting in 367 safe deliveries. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department reports that a new low-pressure area over the south Andaman Sea is likely to strengthen into a depression around October 31 and move towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Context

Tropical cyclones frequently form in the Bay of Bengal during the post-monsoon season, often bringing heavy rainfall and widespread infrastructure damage to India's eastern coastline. Meteorological departments continuously monitor these ocean systems to issue advance warnings and coordinate large-scale evacuations before landfall occurs.