Cyclone Montha Leaves Andhra in Ruins: 1.16 Lakh Homeless, Crops and Roads Devastated

Cyclone Montha unleashed havoc across Andhra Pradesh, claiming three lives and displacing over 116,000 people who are now sheltered in 1,209 relief camps. The storm impacted 1.8 million residents across 249 mandals, 1,434 villages, and 48 towns, with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announcing ₹5 lakh ex-gratia for each deceased victim's family. Conducting an aerial survey followed by ground visits, Naidu directed swift restoration of power by Wednesday night and road clearance by Thursday, warning officials of strict action against any lapses.

Agricultural losses have been staggering, with crops across 87,000 hectares destroyed, affecting 78,796 farmers in 1,825 villages, alongside the death of 42 cattle. Infrastructure took a severe hit—rural water supply systems suffered ₹36 crore in damages, irrigation networks ₹16.45 crore, local roads and bridges ₹4.86 crore, while major government roads spanning 2,294 km require ₹1,424 crore in repairs. Authorities diverted traffic on 297 flooded roads, cleared 380 fallen trees, and set up 2,130 medical camps while safely evacuating 3,175 pregnant women.

Naidu expressed strong displeasure over persistent waterlogging in Ongole, reprimanding the Prakasam District Collector and emphasizing zero tolerance for administrative negligence. He issued a tight timeline for officials: submit crop loss reports within five days, ensure ration supply to relief camps within 24 hours, and maintain rigorous sanitation and safe drinking water standards. Power and road restoration remain top priorities as the state races against time to normalize life.

Also Read: Cyclone Montha: Heavy Rains and Gale Winds Lash Coastal Andhra After Landfall Near Antarvedi

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan visited the worst-hit Avanigadda on Thursday, engaging directly with affected farmers and assuring comprehensive government support. With the cyclone exposing vulnerabilities in coastal preparedness, Andhra Pradesh now focuses on rapid rehabilitation, crop enumeration, and rebuilding critical infrastructure to mitigate long-term economic fallout for thousands of rural families.

Also Read: Cyclone Montha Kills One in Andhra Pradesh, Weakens After Landfall