Cyclone Murusu has damaged crops, agricultural fields, roads and water-control infrastructure in parts of Andhra Pradesh, prompting Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to order repairs to damaged gates and a comprehensive assessment of losses during a field visit to Bapatla district on Friday.
Naidu inspected inundated paddy fields and crop damage along the route from Jillellamudi to Returu, walking along field bunds and irrigation channels and speaking with farmers about their investments, expected yields and losses. He also examined flood flow near the Jillellamudi bridge and inspected road stretches damaged by erosion.
Farmers told the Chief Minister that damage to the gates of the Nallamada stream was creating difficulties in managing water flows. Naidu directed officials to repair the damaged gates and prepare proposals for installing new ones wherever necessary. He also instructed officials to develop a permanent solution to the Nallamada drain problem.
Addressing farmers and the public at Returu, Naidu said Guntur, Bapatla and Prakasam districts had been severely affected by Cyclone Murusu. He said the government was assessing the damage and would provide assistance to affected people, including the last beneficiary. Crop insurance and input subsidies, he said, would offer some relief to farmers who had lost their investments.
The Chief Minister said farmers had already faced difficulties linked to El Niño before taking up cultivation after receiving irrigation water through the Pattiseema system. The cyclone struck when crops were ready for harvest, severely affecting expected yields.
The state government was also tracking damage to electricity infrastructure. Naidu said 30,000 electricity poles damaged during Cyclone Arnav had been restored, while another 10,000 poles were damaged during Cyclone Murusu. Electricity supply to aquaculture ponds was being restored on a priority basis, he said.
The government has sought assistance from Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for relief and restoration operations, while the Centre has been informed about the cyclone impact. Naidu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had enquired about the situation. The Chief Minister conducted an aerial survey before reaching Suryalanka Air Force Station.
Naidu also directed officials to increase awareness among farmers about crop insurance and said plans should be prepared to provide irrigation water before the regular cultivation season. He said the state would formulate broader measures to use floodwaters more effectively, as coastal areas face repeated cyclones while Rayalaseema is experiencing water scarcity and drought-like conditions.
