Amravati. Severe cyclonic storm 'Arnab' crossed the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on Wednesday morning and weakened into a severe cyclonic storm. However, the effect of the storm is still visible in many areas. Trees and electric poles have been uprooted due to strong winds, while power supply has been disrupted in many areas.
Wind gusts reached up to 150 km per hour
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the process of the cyclone hitting the coast has been completed and it has completely reached the land. During this period, the maximum wind speed reached 135 kilometers per hour and the speed of gusts reached 150 kilometers per hour. “The cyclone crossed Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts south-west of Yanam near 16.450 degrees north latitude and 81.90 degrees east longitude,” the weather department said in an official release. This place is about 20 km east-northeast of Narasapur, 40 km south-west of Yanam and 60 km south-west of Kakinada.
Trees and electric poles uprooted, life affected
Cyclone 'Arnab' has caused huge damage at many places. Due to this, many trees and electric poles were uprooted, due to which power supply was disrupted in many areas. Police personnel and government officials are clearing debris on priority basis to restore essential services and smooth traffic on major roads. Trees also fell at some places due to the cyclone.
Cyclone stopped near the coast, wind gusts can reach up to 150 km
According to the weather department, the cyclone is likely to move in a north-westerly direction and cross Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near south of Yanam during the next three hours. During this period, it will remain a very severe cyclonic storm and the maximum sustained wind speed can reach up to 135 kilometers per hour and the gust speed can reach up to 150 kilometers per hour. The impact of the cyclone resulted in heavy rainfall at many places in Anakapalle, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Konaseema districts. District Magistrates of Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Konaseema and West Godavari districts reported heavy rains and strong winds in their respective districts.
Storm weak, but emphasis on relief work
Four people stranded near Bombay Katta due to heavy rains in Kakinada and inundation of areas with sea water were rescued by the police, the district police said in a release. These four people had reached their work in the morning, but due to being surrounded by flood water from all sides, they remained stuck there till night. With no way out, they informed the police about their situation, after which a rescue operation was launched. The police evacuated all four people safely and made arrangements to send them to their homes.
Police rescued people trapped in flood
Meanwhile, three people were reported stranded in Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) warehouses at Kakinada Anchorage Port due to cyclone 'Arnab'. Due to heavy rains and sea water entering the campus, the entire area has been submerged and the power supply there has also come to a complete standstill. Due to water logging in the warehouse premises, the employees working in the night shift could not come out, due to which the situation became serious. Employee of a private company. Raju told that when cyclone 'Arnab' hit the area, he was working in the afternoon shift and got stuck there.
He told that the rescue team reached there and took them out safely. Similarly, C. Durga Prasad, a resident of Nadakuduru, said he was stranded while going towards Kakinada bus stand during the cyclone. He said that after receiving information from local residents, the police immediately took action and rescued them.
Narrating his ordeal, Akash, manager of a clothing shop in Kakinada, said that he and several others got stuck at the local bus complex due to the closure of bus services due to the cyclone. Akash said, “We left at six in the morning, but the vehicles are not running. Trees have fallen on the roads and many roads are closed. It is raining continuously and due to strong winds, more trees are falling and electric wires are breaking.'' Akash said that he had reached the bus complex to go to Visakhapatnam, but got stuck there. Police have advised people to come out of their homes only when absolutely necessary and stay away from areas filled with flood water.
Don't leave your homes, police appeal
People trapped in dangerous situations have been advised to 'dial 112' or contact Kakinada police control room. According to the IMD, between 8.30 am on Tuesday and 4 am on Wednesday, rainfall of more than 200 mm was recorded at many places in Anakapalle, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts. Kannuripalem in Anakapalle recorded the highest rainfall of 261.5 mm. After this, KVBR School in Vizianagaram district received 259.74 mm rainfall and 16th Police Battalion area of Visakhapatnam received 259.06 mm rainfall.
609 schools were made relief centers
According to state government officials, heavy rains are likely to continue on Wednesday and Thursday due to the impact of the cyclone. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naidu reviewed the situation in the cyclone-affected areas and the ongoing relief operations through teleconference at 6.15 am on Wednesday. According to a government release, Naidu directed officials to take immediate steps to remove fallen trees and restore power supply after the cyclone's intensity subsides. Officials told them that power supply has been stopped in cyclone-affected areas as a precautionary measure. Officials said that the state school education department has converted 609 schools into relief and rehabilitation centres.