Cyclone Arnab wreaks havoc on beach road
In Short
The protective walls and large boulders laid along the shoreline to check erosion have been displaced and scattered by the force of the waves
Share :
The Uppada beach road severely damaged between Nemam and Pallipeta
Kakinada: The Uppada-Kakinada beach road has suffered extensive damage due to Cyclone Arnab, which struck the region in the last week of October, coupled with severe sea erosion along the coastline. Drone photographs have brought to light the extent of destruction, particularly on the stretch between Nemam and Pallipeta crossroad. The road, which was in good condition before the cyclone, has now been badly damaged, with several portions washed away by powerful sea waves. The aerial photographs present a grim picture of the battered road and the damage caused to the coastal protection structures.
The impact of the cyclone has also affected the government’s efforts to protect fishing communities whose lives and livelihoods have been threatened by continuous coastal erosion. The protective walls and large boulders laid along the shoreline to check erosion have been displaced and scattered by the force of the waves.
According to experts, the presence of Hope Island near Kakinada Port influences wave patterns along the coast, exposing the Uppada shoreline to severe wave action during cyclones and resulting in recurring erosion. The coastal stretches near Konapapapeta, Pallipeta and Subbampeta were among the worst affected.
More than 30 houses along the coastline collapsed, while several electric poles were uprooted. With the beach road badly damaged and connectivity disrupted, vehicular movement between Uppada and Kakinada was suspended. Officials shifted residents from vulnerable coastal areas to safer locations.
The extensive damage to the Uppada road needs to be assessed not merely in terms of reconstruction costs but also in terms of its wider impact on tourism, transportation and the livelihoods of fishing communities. The disruption of this important coastal route has affected connectivity and could also have consequences for local economic activities. District officials, along with a Central team, inspected the damaged road to assess the extent of destruction caused by the cyclone and continuous sea erosion.
Their inspection is expected to help evaluate the losses and identify the restoration measures required. The government has initiated road repair and restoration works in the affected areas. However, the latest damage has once again highlighted the challenges in protecting the vulnerable Uppada coastline, restoring the road and ensuring the safety and livelihoods of fishing communities living along the shore.
