Published Oct 27, 2026 | 6:26 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 27, 2026 | 7:28 PM
At 11.30 pm IST, its centre was near latitude 15.9°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 350 km south-east of Visakhapatnam.
The Andhra Pradesh government has shifted 2,838 pregnant women nearing their delivery dates to nearby government hospitals ahead of Cyclone Arnab, as it steps up healthcare preparedness across vulnerable districts.
The state has cancelled leave for doctors and paramedical staff, prepared 8,441 emergency beds and formed 1,050 medical teams to ensure uninterrupted medical services during the cyclone, Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav said on Tuesday, 27 October.
“The necessary advance arrangements have been made to provide immediate medical services to those in need due to the impact of the cyclone,” the minister said in a press release.
The government has identified 96 mandals across 20 districts as particularly vulnerable to the cyclone. These mandals have 1,176 government hospitals, where officials have been instructed to ensure the continued availability of medical services.
Yadav reviewed the preparedness of the Health and Medical Department through a virtual meeting with senior officials on Tuesday evening. He said the arrangements were satisfactory but stressed the need for enhanced monitoring and coordination among government departments.
Also Read: Cyclone Arnab: South Central Railway cancels 11 trains as Andhra Pradesh braces for landfall
The government shifted 2,838 pregnant women whose expected delivery dates are approaching to nearby government hospitals to ensure they have access to medical care during the cyclone.
The transfers were arranged based on information collected by local medical officers about the women’s expected delivery dates.
The minister said the move was intended to prevent pregnant women from facing difficulties in accessing healthcare during childbirth if heavy rain and strong winds disrupted transport and other essential services.
The Health Department has stocked antibiotics and medicines required to manage emergencies and prevent infectious disease outbreaks during and after the cyclone.
Authorities have also arranged 26,500 anti-snake venom (ASV) injections, keeping in view the risk of snakebite incidents during flooding and waterlogging.
The minister said special attention had been given to medicine availability across the public healthcare system, from primary health centres to teaching hospitals.
The government has also arranged additional fuel for generators to ensure that healthcare facilities can continue functioning if electricity supply is disrupted.
Based on weather warnings about rainfall and wind intensity expected on Wednesday, the government has alerted doctors and medical staff in 255 mandals across 20 districts, extending from Srikakulam to Bapatla.
The state has also arranged medical services at 38 government-established relief camps. In urban areas such as Visakhapatnam, steps have been taken to ensure that urban primary health centres provide medical services round the clock.
The minister directed officials to coordinate with the revenue, panchayat and other departments to prevent disruptions in emergency healthcare delivery.
Also Read: Cyclone Arnab to cross Andhra coast near Yanam on 28 October; State steps up preparations
The Health Department has instructed medical personnel in vulnerable areas to remain alert to the possibility of infectious disease outbreaks after the cyclone.
Food Safety Department inspectors and vehicles have been kept ready to test the quality of drinking water supplied to relief camps. Officials have also been directed to follow established guidelines to monitor and control potential outbreaks in affected areas.
Health Secretary G. Veer Pandian and Health and Family Welfare Commissioner K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu informed the minister that senior doctors and officials were working round the clock at the command and control centre.
The state has temporarily postponed vaccination programmes in cyclone-affected districts, officials said.
The review meeting was attended by Director of Food Safety Arun Babu, Director of Medical Education Dr Vishnuvardhan, Director of Public Health Dr Venkataramana, Joint Director Arjun Rao and other senior officials.
“The protection of public health is the objective of our coalition government,” Yadav said, calling on officials across departments to work together to ensure timely medical assistance to people affected by the cyclone.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sumit Jha)
