Cyclone Arnab: Andhra Puts Losses at ₹4,600 Crore, 7 Dead

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Thursday, 29 October, that Cyclone Arnab has caused preliminary losses of about ₹4,600 crore in the state and killed seven people. Speaking after an aerial survey of the affected districts, he said the figure could rise once a detailed assessment is done. Arnab crossed the coast on Wednesday, 28 October, and Konaseema and West Godavari districts took the worst of it. Central teams are due in the state on Friday to inspect the damage.

₹1,500 for Each Damaged Coconut Tree

The state has announced ₹1,500 for every coconut or oil palm tree damaged in the storm. Families returning from relief camps will receive 25 kg of rice, a packet of essential commodities and cash for immediate expenses. Farmers whose yields fell and who hold crop insurance will have compensation credited to their bank accounts after the damage is assessed, Naidu said.

Telecommunication services have been restored, according to reports. About 8,000 electricity poles fell in Konaseema district alone, and the government says all of them will be replaced. Andhra Pradesh has asked Telangana for 1,000 power department personnel, and may seek more from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Also read Cyclone Arnab: 89,000 Moved From Kakinada Coast Before Landfall

Evacuation Before Landfall

The state and neighbouring Odisha moved tens of thousands of people to relief shelters before landfall; our live coverage of Cyclone Arnab tracked the evacuation and the storm’s weakening after it hit the coast. Naidu credited that preparation for the lower loss of life. “Taking lessons from past disasters, we implemented precautionary measures and significantly reduced the loss of life,” he said. He added that seven deaths were still “deeply distressing”. About 30,000 officials were deployed.

Rain in the state did not stop with the cyclone. See IPB’s report on the fresh rain alert for coastal Andhra on 1-3 November.

Central Teams Arrive Friday

Naidu said he has sent a preliminary report to the Centre and briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The final loss figure will only be known after the detailed survey of crops and power infrastructure. None of the reports gives a date for the Centre’s decision on central assistance.

Source: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s statement, 29 October 2026, as reported by DD News (IANS). Also based on reporting by Deccan Chronicle.

Image: DD News.