Cyclone Murasu Ravages Crops And Power Grid Across Seven Mandals In Prakasam District

Cyclone Murasu has damaged over 274 hectares of agricultural land across seven mandals in Prakasam district, impacting the livelihoods of 371 farmers. District Agriculture Officer Srinivasa Rao stated that the affected regions span Ballikurava, J. Pangulur, Mundlamuru, Addanki, Santhamaguluru, Naguluppalapadu, and Korisapadu. Out of 274.19 total enumerated hectares, authorities approved 267.08 hectares while rejecting 7.11 hectares. Maize bore the brunt of the weather event with 154.17 damaged hectares, followed by paddy at 66.02 hectares and cotton at 49.78 hectares. Black gram and sugarcane also suffered harm, with paddy fields flooding in villages such as Kothareddypalem, Singarakondapalem, Dharmavaram, Kalavakuru, and Chinakothapalli within Addanki mandal.

Power Grid

Heavy downpours and strong gales wrecked local electricity lines, cutting off power to borewell pumps and leaving soils dry and cracked. The Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited has largely restored electricity across 613 impacted villages. APCPDCL Chairman and Managing Director Pogaku Pulla Reddy noted that out of 28,907 affected connections, crews fixed 22,887 while 6,020 remain pending in the farming sector alongside 125 non-farm services. Total infrastructure damage stands at 21.15 crore rupees. Officials deployed 107 repair teams involving 1,067 personnel, and full electricity restoration for farms and fish ponds is expected within two days. APCPDCL Director for Projects and HRD T.V.S.N. Murthy inspected field repairs in Uppugundur, Ammanabrolu, Kanaparthi, and V.R. Palem.

Context

Coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh frequently face heavy monsoon downpours and tropical storms that disrupt rural infrastructure and agricultural yields. Restoring electricity quickly after such severe weather is vital to restart irrigation pumps and prevent drying soils from ruining standing crops.