As Cyclone Arnab bears down on the Andhra Pradesh coast, the state is leaning on its Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) to run the response, from a WhatsApp channel where residents can report damage to satellite and drone feeds that help engineers keep highways open. Heavy to extremely heavy rain is forecast across 13 districts on 28 and 29 October, with wind speeds of 115 to 140 kmph expected in 12 districts, according to the state government’s assessment.
A cyclone option on Mana Mitra
RTGS has asked people in affected areas to report emergencies and local problems through Mana Mitra, the state’s WhatsApp governance service. Citizens can send “Hi” to 9552300009, pick the new “Arnab Cyclone Issues” option, choose “Report Issue” and confirm. They then enter their name, district and mandal, describe the problem and upload photographs if they have them.
The channel covers the problems that pile up during a storm, including power outages, fallen trees, collapsed walls and waterlogging. RTGS said every complaint registered on the platform will be routed to the local authority concerned for quick action, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Mana Mitra has steadily grown into a front door for state services. In recent weeks it has added re-issue of caste and income certificates, reprinting of pattadar passbooks and utility bill payments. Using the same channel for disaster grievances means residents do not need to find a new helpline or download a separate app in the middle of an emergency.
RTGS in the control room
According to an official release carried by ANI, RTGS Secretary Bhaskar Katamneni and CEO Prakhar Jain are reviewing preparedness continuously, coordinating with departments and briefing Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The preliminary assessment is that the cyclone could hit 16 districts, covering 2,460 revenue villages and 92 urban areas.
The ground plan behind that data is large. The state has identified 1,763 cyclone shelters, set up 2,907 control rooms at district and mandal level and appointed 3,185 nodal officers. Evacuation arrangements are being made through 2,107 Swarna Grama and Swarna Ward units, all 30,043 fishing boats are back in harbour, and 2,613 water tankers are on standby. The Hindu reported that seven NDRF and eight SDRF teams are being deployed across 11 vulnerable districts, that 4,711 pregnant women are being shifted to health facilities, and that warning bulletins will go out every four hours.
Satellite and drone watch on roads
Roads and Buildings Minister B C Janardhan Reddy has told officials to monitor national and state highways using RTGS inputs, satellite data and drone surveillance. Flood-prone stretches, dangerous bends and weak bridges are to be identified in advance, with alternative routes ready and barricades at vulnerable causeways. The aim, he said, is zero casualties and quick restoration of traffic once the storm passes.
Why it matters
Andhra Pradesh built RTGS to pull live data from across departments into a single view. Cyclone Arnab is a test of whether that investment pays off when it matters most: whether a two-way channel like Mana Mitra can turn thousands of citizen reports into prioritised field work, and whether data from satellites, drones and control rooms reaches the officers who have to act on it. For other coastal states, the approach offers a template that combines digital public infrastructure people already use with old-fashioned preparation on the ground.
Sources: The New Indian Express, The Hindu, ANI.