Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday, 30 October expressed deep concern over the destruction wrought by Cyclone Arnab across Andhra Pradesh and the severe flooding triggered by the storm in Odisha, calling on Congress workers to actively support relief and rescue operations in both states.

Priyanka Gandhi's Appeal on X

Priyanka Gandhi took to social media platform X to express solidarity with those affected. 'My thoughts are with the people of Andhra Pradesh facing the devastation caused by Cyclone Arnab and those in Odisha affected by heavy rainfall and flooding. I pray for everyone's safety and urge Congress workers to extend every possible help to those affected and support relief and rescue efforts,' she posted.

Her appeal comes as the cyclone continues to cause widespread disruption across the two coastal states, with flood waters affecting livelihoods, infrastructure, and agricultural land.

Kharge Calls on Centre to Lead Relief Coordination

Congress President Kharge expressed grief over the confirmed loss of lives in Andhra Pradesh and called on the Union government to take charge of coordinating relief and rehabilitation alongside state administrations. 'Deeply distressed by the loss of lives in Andhra Pradesh and the massive disruption to people's lives in Odisha caused by Cyclone Arnab. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The Union Government must lead coordinated relief and rehabilitation efforts with State Governments, ensuring timely assistance through PMCARES fund to all the affected families. I urge Congress workers to extend all possible help to those in distress,' Kharge said in his post on X.

Notably, the demand for PMCARES fund disbursement signals a political dimension to the relief conversation, with the opposition seeking Centre-led accountability for disaster response.

Andhra Pradesh: Seven Dead, ₹4,600 Crore in Damage

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu confirmed on Thursday that Cyclone Arnab had claimed seven lives in the state and caused preliminary estimated losses of ₹4,600 crore. Naidu made the disclosure after conducting an aerial survey of cyclone-hit areas, cautioning that the figure could rise following a more comprehensive damage assessment.

The Chief Minister also confirmed that he had personally spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, briefing him on the prevailing ground situation, the measures already deployed by the state government, and submitting a preliminary loss report to the Centre. This early communication with the Centre is significant as it sets the stage for formal disaster relief fund requests under the National Disaster Response Framework.

Odisha Intensifies Rescue in Ganjam and Gajapati

In Odisha, the government has stepped up rescue and relief operations in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, which bore the brunt of exceptionally heavy rainfall associated with the cyclone. The flooding in these districts has disrupted normal life and displaced residents in low-lying areas, according to state officials.

This is not the first time the Ganjam-Gajapati belt has faced cyclone-linked flooding — the corridor sits in one of India's most storm-exposed coastal stretches, and prior events such as Cyclone Titli in 2018 caused comparable devastation in the same geography.

What Happens Next

With preliminary damage assessed at ₹4,600 crore in Andhra Pradesh alone and Odisha's figures yet to be formally tabulated, pressure on the Centre for swift disaster fund releases is expected to mount. Chief Minister Naidu's direct engagement with Home Minister Shah suggests the formal relief request is already in motion. The coming days will be critical for rescue operations in Odisha's flooded districts, as residual rainfall from the cyclone system may sustain flood conditions.