Andhra evacuates pregnant women, shuts schools as Cyclone Arnab nears; Odisha mobilises ministers

Andhra Pradesh has begun evacuations from vulnerable areas, while Odisha has deputed ministers to oversee preparedness as the two states brace for Cyclone Arnab, which the India Meteorological Department (IMD) says is likely to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28.

In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed preparedness and ordered evacuations from low-lying areas in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam and Nellore districts.

Officials said 4,711 pregnant women living in vulnerable areas had been moved to primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs) and hospitals. “Students residing in hostels are instructed to consult with their warden or chief warden and strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD),” a circular issued on Monday said.

In Odisha, the state government has banned fishing in the sea and tourist entry to hills, waterfalls and dams in six districts. Officials said resources had been mobilised in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur, identified as the most vulnerable districts in the southern region.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi deputed eight ministers to different locations to monitor preparedness, while fishing activities have been restricted. In its bulletin on Monday, the IMD said the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal had moved nearly westwards at 15 kmph over the previous six hours and intensified into a cyclonic storm.

"It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over west-central Bay of Bengal by midnight of October 26 and into a very severe cyclonic storm over the same region on October 27," it said.

Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the ... Read More Sujit Bisoyi is a Special Correspondent with the Indian Express and covers Odisha. His interests are... Read More