Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday inspected cyclone damage in Bapatla district, including submerged paddy fields, eroded roads and floodwater near the Jillellamudi bridge, as the state began assessing losses caused by severe cyclonic storm Murasu.
At Jillellamudi, Naidu visited inundated agricultural fields and spoke to farmers whose paddy crops were damaged shortly before harvest. Farmers described the investments made in cultivation and recalled government support for water supply during earlier drought conditions.
Naidu asked farmers whether they had enrolled in the crop insurance scheme and said insurance coverage and input subsidies could provide relief after natural calamities. He also said awareness of crop insurance would be increased among farmers.
Officials briefed the chief minister on the flow of floodwater near the Jillellamudi bridge and the inundation reported in nearby areas. Farmers raised concerns about damaged gates on the Nallamada stream and requested repairs. Naidu directed officials to submit proposals either to repair the existing gates or install new ones.
He also asked officials to examine ways to prevent floodwater from entering agricultural fields and to ensure that the water is effectively utilised. During the visit, he inspected road stretches between Jillellamudi and Returu that had been damaged by erosion.
At Returu, farmers told the chief minister that they had cultivated crops using water supplied through the Pattiseema project but had suffered losses because of the cyclone. Naidu said that planning water releases before the cropping season could help minimise crop losses during cyclones. He referred to the Polavaram project in this context, highlighting its role in enabling early cultivation.
Naidu later inspected inundated paddy fields at Returu and sought details on the progress of crop damage assessments. He also interacted with representatives of Water Users Associations and asked about the removal of weeds and other obstructions from canals and sluices to maintain the flow of water.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, on Tuesday, officials said. Eight people died in the storm, including five in Bapatla district, two in Guntur and one in Palnadu.
The state government has released Rs 37 crore to affected districts for immediate relief, according to a press release. A preliminary assessment found crop damage across 1.4 lakh hectares, affecting more than 1.8 lakh farmers. Horticultural crops were damaged over 6,749 hectares, impacting 12,586 farmers.
The government’s next steps include completing crop damage assessments, preparing proposals for work on the Nallamada stream gates and examining measures to manage water releases, canals and sluices in cyclone-affected agricultural areas.
