Cyclone Arnab Kills Five in Andhra Pradesh, Damages Crops

Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast as a very severe cyclonic storm on October 28, killing five people in Andhra Pradesh and damaging crops, homes and infrastructure, according to state officials. The storm weakened after moving inland, while restoration and damage assessments continued the next day. The India Meteorological Department said the cyclone crossed the coast with sustained winds of 125-135 km/h and gusts reaching 150 km/h. It placed the crossing between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam; a subsequent account said the centre crossed about 20 kilometres east-northeast of Narsapur and 40 kilometres southwest of Yanam. The system weakened into a deep depression after landfall. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reported five deaths in cyclone-related incidents, including those involving falling trees and electricity poles. He announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for each bereaved family. The state government said around 15,000 electricity poles had been uprooted. Power had been restored in most districts, but repair work continued in parts of Konaseema and West Godavari. Preliminary state assessments found crops affected across about...