Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; New Delhi, October 29: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Odisha and Chhattisgarh to review the situation arising from the impact of severe Cyclone ‘Arnab’ and the challenging weather conditions affecting coastal regions. Expressing concern over the damage and disruption caused by the cyclone, Shah assured the affected states that the Central Government would extend all possible assistance to support rescue operations, relief measures and efforts to minimise the hardships faced by residents.

In a message posted on social media platform X, the Union Home Minister said he had held detailed discussions with the Chief Ministers of the four states regarding the developing situation following Cyclone ‘Arnab’. He reiterated that the Central Government was fully prepared to respond to the crisis and would work closely with the respective state administrations to ensure that people affected by the disaster received the necessary assistance.

Shah emphasised that the safety and well-being of citizens remained the government's priority during the emergency. The Centre, he said, stood ready to provide support to the affected states as they dealt with the consequences of the cyclone and worked to restore normal conditions in vulnerable areas.

The Home Minister, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the disaster response teams of the affected states have been deployed and are actively engaged in relief and rescue operations. Teams are working in affected locations to assist people in distress, clear obstructions and help restore access to areas disrupted by the storm.

Rescue and relief operations are being carried out on a priority basis, with teams removing uprooted trees and fallen electricity poles from roads and other public spaces. Efforts are also under way to evacuate people stranded in vulnerable locations and move them to safer shelters wherever necessary. The authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and coordinate their response to reduce the risks posed by the severe weather.

The cyclone has raised concerns over potential damage to infrastructure, disruption of electricity supplies and difficulties in road connectivity in affected areas. Clearing blocked roads, restoring essential services and ensuring the safe movement of residents and emergency personnel are among the key priorities for the response teams. The coordinated deployment of central and state disaster management forces is intended to speed up relief work and help affected communities recover.

Shah also said that the Central Government was taking steps to assess the extent of the damage caused by the cyclone. Inter-ministerial central teams are expected to be sent to the affected areas shortly to evaluate the situation on the ground. Their assessment will help the Centre determine the nature and extent of further financial and infrastructure assistance required by the affected states.

The proposed assessment is expected to examine the impact of the cyclone and identify the support needed for recovery and restoration. Based on the findings, the Central Government will be able to consider appropriate assistance for the affected regions and strengthen coordination with the state administrations.

Reaffirming the Centre's commitment to disaster response, the Home Minister said the government would stand firmly with citizens during the difficult period. He stressed that the country would work collectively to deal with the emergency and ensure that affected people received support.

The latest discussions underline the importance of coordination between the Central Government and state administrations during major natural disasters. While local authorities and disaster response teams continue rescue and relief work, the Centre's proposed assessment is expected to provide a clearer picture of the damage and the assistance required for rehabilitation.

The affected states continue to deal with the impact of Cyclone ‘Arnab’, the immediate focus remains on protecting lives, relocating people from vulnerable areas, clearing damaged infrastructure and restoring essential services. The Central Government has assured the states of its full support as rescue operations and damage assessments continue.