Andhra Pradesh begins damage assessment after Cyclone Arnab
Formal surveys will determine compensation for farmers, fishers, and households.
Overview
struck Andhra Pradesh’s coast on October 28 as a . Winds reached 125 to 135 kmph, with gusts of up to 150 kmph. Authorities moved more than 180,000 people to safety and sent emergency teams before the storm reached land. Flooding, fallen trees, damaged homes, power cuts and transport problems followed. Early reports said at least three people had died, but later updates put the death toll higher. Crop and fisheries losses affected farmers, fishers and local businesses in coastal districts. The storm weakened inland, but heavy rain has slowed repairs and access. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu estimated the initial damage at ₹4,600 crore. The total may rise as district surveys confirm losses and determine compensation and .
Timeline
Authorities shifted from rescue to formal damage assessment without confirming the ₹4,600 crore estimate
The reported figure was presented as an emerging damage estimate, but the available reporting does not identify a completed official sector-by-sector assessment or confirm that the figure had been accepted by the state or Centre. District verification, , compensation decisions and restoration of power, roads, homes and livelihoods therefore remained unresolved.
Arnab’s continuing rain threatened farms and coastal livelihoods
The India Meteorological Department forecast heavy to very heavy rain, including , across coastal Andhra Pradesh on October 28 and heavy rain in north coastal districts on October 29. The available evidence supports weather-related risk but does not verify sector-specific damage or a statewide agricultural-loss total.
Cyclone Arnab crossed Andhra Pradesh as emergency operations continued
The India Meteorological Department confirmed that Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on October 28, weakened while moving inland, and continued to produce heavy to extremely heavy rain across parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh. Available evidence does not independently confirm three deaths.
Arnab damaged homes and utilities and disrupted transport across coastal Andhra Pradesh
Strong winds, flooding and torrential rain brought down trees, damaged houses and disrupted roads, transport and power supplies in affected districts. The Andhra Pradesh chief minister reported at least 180 houses destroyed, 220 trees uprooted and power outages in several areas.
Cyclone Arnab made landfall near Narsapur and Yanam with winds up to 150 kmph
Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between 2:00 and 8:00 a.m. near Narsapur, southwest of Yanam and southwest of Kakinada, as a . IMD recorded sustained winds of 125 to 135 kmph and gusts reaching 150 kmph, with extremely heavy rain and a threatening low-lying areas.
Andhra Pradesh and Odisha authorities moved coastal residents and response teams to safety
Authorities evacuated vulnerable residents before landfall as the cyclone approached exposed coastal and low-lying areas. Reports said about 180,000 people were moved in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, while state emergency agencies and teams prepared for rescue and relief operations.
IMD forecast Arnab to strike Andhra Pradesh and Yanam as a very severe cyclonic storm
The forecast landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to south of Yanam, during the early hours of October 28. It warned of sustained winds of 125 to 135 kmph, gusts up to 150 kmph, extreme rainfall and in low-lying coastal areas.