Central team meets CM Chandrababu over Cyclone Montha damage assessment

A central team met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at his camp office on Tuesday to review the damage caused by Cyclone Montha. The team was led by Pasumi Basu, Joint Secretary in the Union Home Ministry.

Before the meeting, the delegation had toured several cyclone-hit districts including Konaseema, East Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, Prakasam, and Bapatla, assessing the extent of the destruction on the ground.

According to a preliminary report submitted by the state government, losses amounting to ₹5,267 crore have been incurred due to the cyclone. The government has sought ₹2,622 crore in immediate financial assistance from the Centre. It informed the team that 3,109 villages across 443 mandals were affected, impacting nearly 10 lakh people across the state.

Key findings in the report

• Around 9,960 houses were submerged, leaving 1.11 lakh families homeless.

• Nearly 4,566 houses were partially damaged due to heavy rains and flooding.

• Crops in 1.61 lakh hectares were destroyed, affecting 3.27 lakh farmers.

• Apart from agriculture, sectors like aquaculture, livestock, and handloom also suffered major losses.

• The cyclone damaged about 4,794 km of roads, uprooted 12,856 electricity poles, and damaged 2,318 transformers.

The state estimated the total loss at ₹6,384 crore, covering crops, housing, roads, and other infrastructure.

To provide immediate relief, the government set up relief camps in 22 districts, sheltering 1.92 lakh people, and distributed ₹3,000 each to 3.36 lakh affected families as emergency financial aid.