Andhra Pradesh on high alert as Cyclone Arnab intensifies over Bay of Bengal
High alert sounded across coastal Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Arnab approaches, with authorities evacuating over 5.7 lakh residents to safer grounds.
VISAKHAPATNAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a high alert across coastal Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Arnab over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. The system is tracking northwestwards and is expected to make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam with wind speeds reaching up to 125 kmph.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu chaired a high-level review meeting and directed district collectors to ensure a zero-casualty mitigation strategy. Over 5.7 lakh people residing in low-lying coastal pockets have been identified for evacuation to relief camps. Educational institutions in Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, and Bapatla have declared holidays, while National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in vulnerable sectors to assist with potential emergency operations.
