AP Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan orders Kakinada officials to ensure Justice for victims of Cyclone Montha

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has instructed Kakinada district officials to ensure that justice is delivered to every individual who suffered losses due to Cyclone Montha. He emphasized that all forms of relief assistance must reach affected families, farmers, and coastal residents in a transparent and timely manner.

The Deputy Chief Minister conducted a review through a video conference with District Collector Shawn Mohan, the Superintendent of Police, and officials from various departments including Agriculture, Panchayat Raj, Roads and Buildings, Electricity, and Disaster Management. Senior district officials such as the DRO, RDOs, and the Particularly Affected Areas Development Agency (PADA) Project Director also attended. The meeting focused on damage assessment, relief implementation, and protective measures in cyclone-hit areas, particularly within the Pithapuram constituency and adjoining coastal villages.

During the meeting, officials were instructed to prepare foolproof estimates of crop and property damage within Kakinada district limits. It was stressed that government compensation must be distributed without delay or irregularity. Pawan Kalyan stated that the administration’s actions should reassure the people that the government stands beside them in their time of hardship.

The Deputy Chief Minister observed that Cyclone Montha struck when crops were ready for harvest, leaving thousands of farmers devastated. He said that the six months of hard work put in by farmers must not go in vain and instructed officials to ensure that compensation is disbursed to every affected cultivator. “The machinery should stand on the side of the farmers and prepare solid reports on crop loss. Justice must be done to each farmer who has suffered,” he said.

Emphasis was placed on restoring normalcy in villages, draining stagnant water, and preventing disease outbreaks. Instructions were given to the health department to remain alert in vulnerable areas and to carry out sanitation and mosquito control drives. Periodic reports on the progress of village cleanliness programmes were also sought.

Pawan Kalyan instructed that immediate repairs be undertaken on damaged roads and public utilities and that compensation for partially or fully damaged houses be released without delay. He urged officials to work on a comprehensive plan for the long-term protection of coastal villages that were exposed to tidal erosion.

Collector’s Report on Damage

According to District Collector Shawn Mohan, preliminary assessments revealed that 21 mandals and seven municipalities within Kakinada district were affected by Cyclone Montha. About 41,932 families were impacted, including 27,624 fishing families and 313 weaving families. Crop damage was reported over 21,711 hectares, while 668 acres of horticultural crops—mainly banana and papaya—were affected.

The collector added that 33,596 farmers had suffered losses, and 61 houses were reported damaged. Extensive damage to electricity networks and roads was also observed. Within the Pithapuram constituency, approximately 2,500 farmers were found to have lost paddy and horticultural crops.

(These figures are based on preliminary data shared with the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority and are subject to final verification.)

Review of Pithapuram and Coastal Protection

The Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the conditions in flood-affected areas of Uppada, Moolapeta, Konapapapeta, Ameenabad, and Subbampeta within the Pithapuram constituency. It was observed that heavy rains following the cyclone had caused waterlogging in several low-lying areas, including Karivepaku Peta in Pithapuram town. Officials were instructed to take immediate measures to drain out the stagnated water and restore sanitation.

Concerns were expressed regarding the Eleru canal’s Gorrekande barrage, which was found to be weak. The Deputy Chief Minister ordered war-footing action to strengthen canal bunds and prevent future flood threats. He further instructed that a detailed survey be conducted to assess the full extent of damage to the canal and adjacent agricultural fields.

Temporary Measures Against Sea Erosion

It was informed that a temporary protective wall made of boulders had been set up at Subbampeta in the Uppada coastal area, which successfully controlled sea erosion. The Deputy Chief Minister instructed that similar temporary boulder walls be constructed along other vulnerable coastal stretches until permanent sea-protection walls are built. “A special plan must be taken up for the safety of coastal villages until the permanent structures are completed,” he said.

Commitment to Farmers’ Welfare

During the review, Pawan Kalyan reiterated that the government’s relief measures must reflect fairness and compassion. He emphasized that justice must be ensured to cotton farmers in Mallavaram who suffered crop losses due to the cyclone. He said that administrative machinery should function swiftly so that the affected farmers and families feel that the government stood with them during the crisis.

The Deputy Chief Minister’s directives covered all aspects of disaster response—from immediate relief and compensation to long-term infrastructure and coastal protection. District authorities have been instructed to submit periodic progress reports on the ongoing restoration and rehabilitation work to the state government.