Cyclone Arnab causes estimated loss of at least Rs 4,600 crore in Andhra Pradesh: CM

PTI, Oct 29, 2026, Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said the very severe cyclonic storm Arnab has inflicted a loss of at least Rs 4,600 crore on the state.

Addressing a press conference at Gachakayala Pora village in Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district, the Chief Minister underscored that the estimated loss would further increase once the full extent of the devastation became clear.

The CM noted that he had apprised Union Home Minister Amit Shah of the impact of Arnab and explained the situation and the efforts undertaken.

According to Naidu, Shah promised to dispatch a Central team to the state on Friday. He also said Andhra Pradesh had submitted a preliminary report on the cyclone-related destruction.

Naidu interacted with the affected villagers at Cheyyeru village in Katrenikona mandal.

He promised compensation of Rs 1,500 each for an uprooted coconut tree and an oil palm tree, and an aid kit containing 25 kg of rice, other essentials and a small amount of cash for evacuees leaving the cyclone shelters.

As advance crop insurance had been provided, the CM said a drop in harvest yield would be compensated, promising that the government would work to prevent losses for farmers.

The CM assured that agricultural and horticultural losses would be calculated and farmers compensated soon.

Despite implementing sufficient precautions, the CM lamented that seven people had died in the cyclone, adding that Konaseema and West Godavari districts had borne the brunt.

Assuring that telecommunication services would be restored, he underlined that 8,000 electric poles had been uprooted in Konaseema district. Naidu promised to repair all the power poles and restore electricity supply.

For the complete restoration of power, he said 1,000 electricity employees from Telangana were being brought to the state, adding that, if needed, he would also request assistance from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Later, Naidu personally visited some flattened paddy fields to assess the devastation.

Earlier, Naidu undertook an aerial survey of swathes of land and fields across a few districts devastated by the very severe cyclonic storm Arnab.

The Chief Minister surveyed Krishna, West Godavari and Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema districts, an official press release said.

The CM took a helicopter ride from the greenfield capital city of Amaravati to Cheyyeru village in Katrenikona mandal in Konaseema district.

En route, the CM observed affected paddy fields and aquaculture ponds, as well as banana and coconut orchards.

He observed inundated fields and uprooted palm trees in the Nimmakuru, Pamarru, Bantumilli, Narasapuram, Palakollu, Amalapuram and Katrenikona regions, the release added.