Cyclone Arnab babies: 367 infants born across Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati: As many as 367 babies were born after 3,100 pregnant women were shifted to hospitals as a precautionary measure ahead of very severe cyclonic storm Arnab in Andhra Pradesh.

The health and medical department identified 4,228 pregnant women, including those expected to deliver within two weeks and those with high-risk pregnancies and shifted 3,100 of them to medical facilities ahead of the cyclone.

“Of the 3,100 pregnant women shifted to hospitals as a precautionary measure during very severe cyclonic storm Arnab, 367 deliveries were recorded,” the department said in a press release issued on Thursday.

Of the women shifted, 690 were taken to Primary Health Centres (PHCs), 83 to Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs), 430 to Community Health Centres (CHCs), 442 to area hospitals, 132 to district hospitals, 456 to government medical college hospitals and 762 to private hospitals, it said.

The department kept 485 ambulances available during the cyclone, through which 43 people were shifted to hospitals. Another 196 vehicles under the ‘Thalli Bidda Express’ service were deployed, helping transport 15 people to medical facilities.

It also kept 549 mobile medical vehicles ready and conducted 50 medical camps to provide emergency healthcare services during the cyclone.

While medical teams continued providing services, 64 hospitals reported damage to buildings and infrastructure, including roofs, electrical equipment, generators and water supply systems.

Damages were reported at hospitals in Kaikaluru, Baruva, Tekkali, Aganampudi, Pendurthi, Nakkapalli, Narsipatnam, Repalle, Amalapuram, Rampachodavaram, Mummidivaram, Allavaram, Kothapeta and Nellimarla.

The compound walls of Penumantra and Devapudi PHCs were damaged.

Electrical wiring, generators, equipment and infrastructure at government hospitals in Eluru, Guntur and Vijayawada also suffered damage.

At Government Victoria Hospital in Visakhapatnam, water leaked through the ceilings of operation theatres, while leaks were reported at several locations in the old building. Windows and doors were also damaged.

The department said it had taken measures to maintain emergency medical services throughout the cyclone, with ambulances, Thalli Bidda Express vehicles and mobile medical units kept available to respond to medical needs.

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