Union to Release Relief Funds as Cyclones Arnab and Murasu Ravage Andhra Pradesh and Odisha

The Union government will soon disburse the first instalment of disaster‑relief funds to Andhra Pradesh and Odisha after Cyclones Arnab and Murasu inflicted massive damage. ## Damage Overview Cyclone Arnab made landfall on October 28, causing roughly ₹4,526 crore of loss in Andhra Pradesh and destroying about 90,000 hectares of standing crops in southern Odisha. Cyclone Murasu crossed the coast on November 3, affecting roughly 52,500 hectares of crops in Andhra Pradesh. The two storms together claimed 12 lives in the state. ## Response State officials credit long‑term preparedness and rapid deployment of the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) and other technologies for keeping casualties low. Rescue teams from Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu were sent to assist Andhra Pradesh. The centre is expected to release the first fund instalment after on‑the‑spot assessments. ## Challenges Officials say the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, launched a decade ago, still leaves many farmers under‑insured, and call for better awareness and top‑up benefits. They also urge the centre to expand the National and State Disaster Response Funds—originally limited to relief—to cover reconstruction, a change prompted by the 15th Finance Commission two years ago. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is urged to act in the spirit of cooperative federalism to support permanent restoration projects. ## Context Repeated cyclones highlight the growing need for stronger collaboration between scientific institutions and government bodies, and for a more robust compensation framework for farmers affected by crop loss.