Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Inspects Cyclone-Hit Districts as State Seeks Central Relief

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu conducted an aerial survey of rain-affected areas in Guntur, Bapatla and Prakasam districts on Wednesday following back-to-back cyclones, Arnab and Murasu, within a week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Naidu to review the situation, with the state government seeking central assistance for relief and restoration work. According to a preliminary assessment by the state, Cyclone Murasu caused property damage estimated at 343 crore rupees across 465 villages in seven districts, damaging paddy crops on 50,473 hectares. The earlier Cyclone Arnab caused estimated losses of 4,563 crore rupees, affecting 781 villages across 16 districts, damaging agricultural crops across three lakh hectares, horticulture across 13,600 hectares, and toppling around 29,000 electricity poles along with 7,981 kilometers of power lines. During a review meeting at the Real Time Governance Society, Naidu directed district collectors to clear water-logging at Karamchedu, Kothapatnam, Chirala, Chilakaluripet and Parchur to prevent road traffic disruption. Officials reported that heavy rain continued in the tribal areas of Eluru district, particularly Buttayagudem, Velerupadu, Polavaram, Jeelugumilli and Koyyalagudem, where minor irrigation tanks were overflowing. Naidu stated he was in constant touch with the Centre, having spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah four times to seek immediate interim financial assistance for affected farmers and restoration.

Context

Severe weather and cyclones frequently impact India's eastern coastal states during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, often causing extensive damage to agriculture and infrastructure. State governments typically rely on preliminary assessments to approach the Union government for financial aid from disaster relief funds following such calamities.