Schools shut, relief measures intensified in three North Andhra districts as cyclone nears

The district administrations of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) have stepped up precautionary measures ahead of Cyclone Arnab, for which the India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert.

Visakhapatnam Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore said; “All educational institutions would remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.” He ordered the closure of beaches and advised people to avoid tourist spots and to step out only in emergencies. A National Disaster Response Force team and a State Disaster Response Force team are stationed in the district. The Navy and the Coast Guard have also been alerted. Relief camps are being readied, and pregnant women nearing their due dates are being identified for shifting to hospitals. Accompanied by Joint Collector G. Vidyadhari, he inspected the district control room and asked officials to brief the media every six hours. Control rooms have been opened at the Collectorate (0891-2590100, 0891-2590102) and in the tahsildars’ offices of all 11 mandals. Special officers have been assigned to each mandal.

Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ketan Garg has asked residents of low-lying and hilly areas to remain vigilant and stay indoors for three days, barring emergencies. Help is available on 1800 4250 0009 and on WhatsApp number at 9014218870.

Andhra University has cancelled in-person classes from Monday and will hold them online until November 4, Registrar K. Rambabu said.

In Anakapalli, Collector Vijaya Krishnan declared a holiday for schools of all managements from October 27 to 29. At a video conference, she directed officials to start flood stores and relief centres in six coastal mandals from Monday night and to move residents of kutcha houses, huts and tin sheds to safer places. A team with a JCB, a tipper and 10 workers is to be kept ready for every 5 km of road. The Eastern Power Distribution Company has opened a round-the-clock control room (8712410720), and the Agriculture Department has one from October 27 to 31 to advise farmers. Handloom and Textiles Department officer Padma has asked weavers to cover looms, yarn and finished cloth with tarpaulins, shift stocks to dry places and keep electrical fittings dry.

In the ASR district, Collector T. Nishanthi announced a holiday on Tuesday and Wednesday for day-scholar schools, colleges and anganwadi centres. Residential schools and hostels will continue to function. A 24-hour control room has been set up at the Collectorate (08935-293448). At a teleconference, the Collector directed officials to keep medical personnel, medicines and ambulances ready, with special attention to patients and pregnant women, and to monitor the situation round the clock through control rooms at district and mandal levels. Raincoats and satellite phones will be provided to personnel on cyclone duty and on ZPTC and MPTC election duty. ITDA Project Officer Aditya Varma has asked officials to shift residents of landslide-prone areas to safer locations.

The State government has released ₹27 crore to 20 districts for relief operations. Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) G. Sai Prasad issued orders allotting ₹2 crore each to Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema, East Godavari, Kakinada and Anakapalli, and ₹1 crore each to Srikakulam, Markapuram, Guntur, NTR, Eluru, ASR, Polavaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Sri Sathya Sai, Nellore and Tirupati.