Cyclone Arnab: Schools Ready as Relief Shelters

The Cliff News | 28 October 2026

The Andhra Pradesh School Education Department has significantly ramped up its preparedness measures in anticipation of Cyclone Arnab. Across the state, a total of 609 school campuses have been activated and designated as relief shelters, ready to accommodate those affected by the approaching storm.

This proactive mobilization is part of a comprehensive strategy to manage the potential impact of the cyclone. The department has identified 150 schools that are particularly vulnerable to flooding or inundation, and an additional 78 school buildings have been flagged for their potential structural weaknesses, posing a risk of collapse. These assessments are detailed in a preparedness status report submitted to the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) at 6 a.m. on Wednesday.

Statewide Monitoring and Safety Protocols

The department's vigilant monitoring extends to 58,616 schools spread across 28 districts. This extensive network involves the safety and well-being of approximately 2,22,904 staff members and nearly 69.6 lakh students. As a precautionary measure, holidays have been declared in all 16 coastal districts.

To ensure a coordinated response, instructions have been issued to all District Educational Officers (DEOs) and Mandal Educational Officers (MEOs) to prioritize the safety of both students and staff. Round-the-clock preparedness and emergency response are being managed through control rooms established in every DEO office, each staffed with designated nodal officers.

Infrastructure Fortification and Essential Supplies

Focusing on infrastructure integrity, the department has prioritized 1,604 vulnerable schools and 544 structures identified as weak. Thorough checks of roofs, walls, and other structural components are underway. Any buildings deemed unsafe have been barricaded to prevent unauthorized access.

As of the 6 a.m. report on Wednesday, the department had not registered any damage to school facilities. To support the function of designated relief shelters, essential supplies including drinking water, food provisions, first-aid kits, and other critical emergency materials are being stocked. Updated lists of students and staff, complete with contact details, are also being maintained for effective communication and coordination during emergencies.

Community Engagement and Volunteer Mobilization

School authorities have been directed to maintain open communication with parents, providing timely updates on school closures and the availability of relief shelters. In a clear example of community support, residents of Uppalanka village in Karapa mandal of Kakinada district have already been moved to a school serving as a cyclone shelter, where a medical camp has been established to provide necessary care.

Staff members are required to remain available at schools functioning as relief shelters. Furthermore, the preparedness efforts have seen the mobilization of 17,054 student volunteers from organizations such as the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), and Scouts, who will assist in various capacities during the cyclone response.