Cyclone Arnab: heavy rain brings Vizag to standstill; civic agencies on high alert

A city that seldom slows down was brought to a near halt on Tuesday as Cyclone Arnab drove heavy rain and gusty winds across Visakhapatnam, leaving civic agencies racing to keep roads open and power on. Schools and anganwadi centres remained closed, 102 bus services were cancelled, and beaches were shut, while residents were advised to stay indoors.

Fallen trees and power interruptions added to the disruption. According to the Command Control Room, 206 trees came down within the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation limits, and 55 had been cleared by 6 p.m. Of the 103 calls received, 42 related to fallen trees and 51 to power supply; 17 had been attended to.

Rainfall in the district averaged 147.9 mm between 8.30 a.m. and 9 p.m., the highest being 206.8 mm in Gopalapatnam, followed by Visakhapatnam (Rural) at 160.8 mm and Pendurthi at 155.2 mm.

District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore said gusty winds of 40 kmph to 50 kmph had been recorded since morning, and speeds of up to 100 kmph were likely from 9 p.m.

By 6 p.m., 85 people had taken shelter in relief centres opened across the district, and 72 food packets had been distributed, the administration said. Mr. Kishore said people in vulnerable coastal and hilly habitations had been moved as required.

NDRF deployed

A National Disaster Response Force team had been deployed, along with 63 earth movers, 30 tree-cutting teams, 50 generators and 75 rescue boats. The Navy and the Coast Guard were coordinating support.

Mr. Kishore toured Mangamaripeta beach and inspected a relief centre at the Upper GVMC Primary School there, directing officials to ensure drinking water, food, toilets and power, with priority for the elderly, women, children and pregnant women.

At night, he inspected the command control room set up at the Collectorate with Joint Collector G. Vidyadhari and asked for hourly reports. In a teleconference with officials later, he directed them to identify residents of vulnerable areas and shift them to safe relief centres without delay.

He asked that people in coastal villages and hilly habitations be alerted, using public address systems where needed, that movement along Beach Road be fully restricted, and that fallen trees be removed at once to keep roads clear. Officials of all departments were asked to remain in the field and coordinate with the control rooms of the Collectorate, the GVMC, the police and the power utility.

The cyclone is expected to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam in the early hours of Wednesday, and heavy rain is likely to continue through the day. Educational institutions will remain closed on Wednesday, and fishermen have been barred from venturing into the sea till October 29.

Helpline

Residents can reach the Collectorate control room on 0891-2590100 and 0891-2590102, and the GVMC on 9914218870 and 1800-4250-0009.