The death toll from Cyclone Arnab has risen to eight after the powerful storm swept across parts of Andhra Pradesh and the Yanam region on India's southeastern coast, leaving a trail of destruction and disrupting transport, power and communication services.

Authorities said the victims were killed in incidents involving falling trees, collapsed walls, electric poles and electrocution as the cyclone brought torrential rain and winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour.

Before making landfall, more than 180,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable coastal communities in Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha as authorities launched one of the region's largest precautionary evacuation operations. Thousands of emergency personnel were deployed, around 2,000 relief centres were opened and more than 1,000 medical teams were placed on standby to respond to emergencies.

Extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture

The cyclone uprooted hundreds of trees and electricity poles, damaged homes and roads, disrupted electricity and communication networks, and caused extensive losses to agricultural land in coastal districts.

Officials said coconut and banana plantations covering approximately 71,000 hectares suffered partial or complete damage.

According to official figures, around 57,000 people have been accommodated in relief camps, while about 180 houses were damaged by the storm.

Government seeks central assistance

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu sought support from the central government to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone.

Naidu spoke by telephone with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, briefing him on the situation and requesting assistance for relief and recovery operations.

Transport disrupted across affected region

As a precaution, electricity supplies were suspended in many affected areas, while schools, colleges and other educational institutions were ordered to remain closed for several days.

More than 35 flights were cancelled or diverted at two airports in Andhra Pradesh, while railway services in several parts of the region were also disrupted because of the severe weather.

Cyclone weakens after landfall

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Cyclone Arnab weakened from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm after making landfall early Wednesday and is expected to continue weakening as it moves inland toward the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. The weather agency had also warned of storm surges of up to 1.5 metres along parts of the coastline, prompting authorities to maintain emergency measures even after the cyclone began to lose strength.

Relief operations are continuing as authorities assess the full extent of the damage caused by the cyclone. (ILKHA)