Cyclone Montha, which struck the seacoast of Andhra Pradesh on October 28, caused wide destruction across the state, leading to an estimated loss of ₹ 5,265 crore. The cyclone, accompanied by heavy downfall and strong winds, oppressively damaged husbandry, fisheries, roads, and other structure. According to sanctioned reports, the agrarian sector alone suffered a loss of around ₹ 829 crore, while monoculture and fisheries incurred losses amounting to ₹ 1,270 crore. The Roads and structures Department reported damage worth ₹ 2,079 crore, while the water coffers sector faced a loss of ₹ 207 crore. Horticulture, beast, and casing sectors also reported varying degrees of damage.
The cyclone made landfall near Antarvedi in Konaseema quarter, moving inland through East and West Godavari sections, accompanied by wind pets of nearly 90 km per hour and a storm swell of over to three metres in littoral regions. Heavy rains submersed several areas, dismembering normal life and damaging standing crops over vast stretches of cropland. primary estimates suggest that further than 1.12 lakh hectares of agrarian land were affected in 15 sections, with major losses reported from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema( 24,782 hectares), NTR( 13,479 hectares), Palnadu( 10,620 hectares), and Kakinada( 10,276 hectares). The damaged crops included paddy, sludge, and black gram, utmost of which were ready for crop, performing in substantial fiscal torture for growers.
Three people reportedly lost their lives in the cyclone, and at least 42 beast deaths were recorded. The state government attributed the low number of casualties to timely evacuation and preparedness measures. Nearly 1.8 lakh people were shifted to safer locales before landfall, and disaster operation brigades were stationed across affected sections. The administration used drones, satellite imagery, and geotagged data to cover water situations and direct relief sweats in real time. Power force, which was disintegrated in several sections, was restored within a many hours in utmost areas, significantly briskly compared to earlier volcanic events.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu stated that the government’s visionary measures had minimized casualties despite the scale of the destruction. He emphasized the part of ultramodern technology and collaboration between departments in icing nippy relief operations. still, the opposition blamed the government’s response, professing detainments in compensation and shy support for affected growers. Former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy claimed that the administration had failed to give timely relief and described the situation as a man- made extremity for the agrarian community.
In addition to damage to crops and structure, the cyclone affected monoculture ponds and fisheries, particularly along the littoral stretches of East and West Godavari and Konaseema sections, which are major capitals of shrimp husbandry. Several fish ponds were swamped, leading to heavy losses for monoculture growers. Roads and islands suffered expansive damage, causing dislocations to transportation and logistics. Floodwaters entered low- lying townlets, damaging houses and displacing residers. Relief camps were set up to give temporary sanctum, food, and medical backing to those affected.
The state government is conducting a detailed assessment of the damage to submit to the central government for fiscal backing. growers have been asked to upload images of damaged crops through sanctioned doors to grease compensation claims. The authorities are also working to drain floodwaters, clear debris, and restore essential services in affected areas. Rehabilitation of structure, restoration of power lines, and form of irrigation systems are being prioritized to enable the resumption of agrarian conditioning.
Cyclone Montha has formerly again stressed the vulnerability of Andhra Pradesh’s littoral and agricultural regions to extreme rainfall events. While the bettered preparedness helped reduce mortal casualties, the profitable impact has been severe, especially for small and borderline growers. The loss of standing crops just before crop, coupled with damage to monoculture and transport networks, is anticipated to affect livelihoods and detention recovery. The state’s focus now remains on furnishing acceptable compensation, restoring normality, and icing that unborn rainfall- related dislocations can be eased through better planning and structure adaptability.
