Cyclone Murasu damages over 30,000 acres of crops in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati: More than 30,000 acres of standing crops were damaged across 15 districts of Andhra Pradesh by severe cyclonic storm Murasu, with Krishna, Bapatla and Nandyal among the worst-affected districts.

Paddy, cotton and maize crops suffered the most damage, according to an official press release issued on Tuesday.

“According to preliminary estimations, crops were damaged in 30,661 acres in 15 districts. Crops were majorly damaged in Krishna, Bapatla and Nandyala districts due to the cyclone,” the release said.

Murasu had an abnormal impact across 132 mandals in 15 districts, and 10,805 people were evacuated to cyclone shelters. The state government arranged 171 relief camps and distributed 14,810 food packets, the release added.

Eleven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 13 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were deployed for relief operations. A total of 613 generators were also arranged.

The Fire Department deployed 185 teams to clear uprooted trees and remove waterlogging.

As a precautionary measure ahead of the cyclone’s landfall, 3,066 pregnant women and 1,008 nursing mothers were shifted to hospitals.

As many as 725 medical teams were deployed across 13 districts, while 362 ambulances were kept on standby, among other measures.