Cyclone Arnab restoration: Andhra CM seeks faster power and road repairs

Cyclone Arnab restoration work in Andhra Pradesh must be accelerated to restore electricity, roads and other essential services, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu told officials during a review on Thursday, according to an official release.

The meeting followed his aerial survey of affected areas. Naidu asked power utilities to bring in additional workers from other regions or states if needed and continue repairs until every affected village and household had electricity.

Under the Eastern Power Distribution Company, supply had returned to 4,771 of 5,400 affected villages, leaving 629 awaiting restoration. In Krishna district, the Central Power Distribution Corporation reported supply restored in 835 of 915 affected villages.

Road access and crop damage assessed

Officials reported damage along 2,396 kilometres of major district and state roads. West Godavari accounted for 552 kilometres, the largest reported damage among the listed districts.

Of 62 road breaches, 22 had been repaired, while work remained at 40. Repairs were completed at 13 of 34 embankment breaches and 83 of 102 damaged culverts or other cross-drainage structures.

All 2,264 trees obstructing roads had been removed, officials said. Transport links had been restored at 99 of the 133 disrupted locations, with work continuing at the others.

The Cyclone Arnab restoration review also covered agriculture. Preliminary estimates put affected agricultural land at more than 3.3 lakh hectares across 16 districts, but officials said the final loss assessment was still pending.

Horticultural crops across 22,452 hectares in 15 districts were also affected. Konaseema reported the largest affected horticultural area, followed by East Godavari.

In a separate municipal review, minister P. Narayana urged faster recovery and sanitation work. Officials said 71 of 85 affected locations had returned to normal. Generators were supporting drinking-water supply where electricity remained unavailable, while Naidu also called on telecom companies to speed up network repairs.

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