AP CM Chandrababu seeks prompt damage report to centre on Montha impact

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with senior officials on Friday to review post-Cyclone Montha relief and recovery operations across Andhra Pradesh. Officials were instructed to ensure that all waterlogged agricultural fields are identified through satellite imagery and that stagnant water is drained within 24 hours to prevent damage to crops.

It was emphasized during the review that scientific methods and expert advice must be followed to protect yields and prevent losses to farmers. The Chief Minister stated that recommendations from agricultural scientists of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) and other research institutions should guide the recovery process, particularly in areas where paddy and horticultural crops were affected.

Officials were told that satellite data from the Andhra Pradesh State Remote Sensing Applications Centre (APSAC) and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) should be used to identify inundated farmlands. The data, derived from Sentinel-1 and Resourcesat satellites, has been assisting the state in mapping flood-affected areas in real time. The Chief Minister said that the latest satellite images should guide district administrations in prioritizing drainage works and rehabilitation.

Agriculture experts have advised that water stagnation beyond 24 to 48 hours can cause oxygen depletion in the soil, leading to root rot, fungal attacks, and yield reduction. To avoid such conditions, district collectors were directed to coordinate with irrigation, rural water supply, and panchayat officials to mobilize pumps and open canal outlets for faster dewatering.

It was also directed that a preliminary report on the cyclone’s impact be submitted to the Central Government immediately, including details on the extent of crop damage, infrastructure losses, and relief measures taken. The report is expected to be prepared using data from APSAC, field surveys by agriculture and revenue officials, and validation through the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA).

The Chief Minister further instructed that teams and individuals who performed efficiently during cyclone preparedness and protection activities be recognized and honored by the government.

The Bhuvan geoportal, developed by ISRO’s NRSC, is being used for near real-time flood monitoring, with satellite images updated every six to twenty-four hours. These images show the extent of inundation in coastal districts such as Konaseema, Krishna, Guntur, and East Godavari, where most of the crop damage has been reported.

Officials said that the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) and district administration dashboards are tracking progress in drainage operations. Field data, including GPS-tagged photographs and drone footage, are being uploaded to confirm dewatering activities at the village level.

The review concluded with a call for coordinated efforts across all departments to ensure rapid recovery and minimize economic loss to farmers. It was reiterated that scientific guidance and technological monitoring would play a crucial role in restoring normalcy in the aftermath of Cyclone Montha.