Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has sought immediate interim assistance from the Centre after two cyclones struck the state within a week, with preliminary damage from cyclone Murasu estimated at Rs 1,919.59 crore. The request covers losses to crops, horticulture, electricity networks, roads, irrigation systems, housing and other essential services.
Naidu made the request in a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying the state was still recovering from cyclone Arnab, which hit on October 27, when Murasu brought heavy rain and strong winds. The successive weather events affected farmers and fishermen twice during the same season and disrupted infrastructure across several districts.
The preliminary assessment cited in the Chief Minister’s letter recorded damage to crops across 1,43,122 hectares, affecting 1,86,063 farmers. Crop losses were estimated at Rs 874.96 crore. Horticultural crops were damaged across another 6,504.38 hectares, affecting 12,178 farmers, with losses estimated at Rs 337.10 crore.
The assessment also covered damage in animal husbandry, aquaculture, housing, irrigation, electricity, panchayat raj, education and health. Naidu asked the Centre to release assistance immediately for farmers, fishermen, families whose houses were damaged and other affected residents. The state said the funds would be used to restore essential services across the affected districts.
A comprehensive assessment will be conducted after floodwaters recede, and a detailed report will be submitted to the Centre within 15 days, according to the Chief Minister. The final estimate is therefore expected to cover damage that could not be assessed during inundation and ongoing restoration work.
During a visit to cyclone-hit areas of Guntur and Bapatla districts on Friday, Naidu inspected inundated fields, damaged crops, eroded roads, field bunds and irrigation channels. He travelled from Jillellamudi to Returu via Suryalanka Air Force station and spoke with farmers about their investments, expected yields and losses.
Farmers told him that damaged gates on the Nallamada stream had affected water management. Naidu directed officials to repair the gates and prepare proposals for new structures where required. He also called for a permanent solution to the Nallamada drain problem and greater awareness of crop insurance.
The Chief Minister said irrigation water should be made available before the regular cultivation season so that farmers could complete sowing before the cyclone-prone period. He said Guntur, Bapatla and Prakasam districts had been badly affected, with farmers suffering losses after cultivating crops following the supply of irrigation water through the Pattiseema project.
Power restoration remains a major part of the response. Naidu said 30,000 electricity poles damaged during cyclone Arnab had been restored, while Murasu damaged another 10,000 poles. Power supply to aquaculture ponds was being restored on priority, and Andhra Pradesh had sought assistance from Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for relief and restoration work.
The state government said the Centre had been kept informed and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had enquired about the situation. Naidu also contrasted the cyclone damage along the coast with drought-like conditions in Rayalaseema, saying the government would prioritise water security and prepare plans to use floodwaters more effectively. The next formal step is the submission of the detailed damage report to the Centre within 15 days.
