Murasu cyclone damages crops across 1.4 lakh hectares in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said the damage caused by Cyclone Murasu was estimated at Rs 1,919 crore, according to preliminary assessments.

Naidu reviewed the post-cyclone situation with officials late on Thursday and directed them to expedite relief and restoration work.

He stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted electricity and drinking water supply and repair damaged roads, while ensuring that farmers and residents faced no hardship following two consecutive cyclones — Arnab and Murasu.

“We will visit cyclone-affected areas in Bapatla and Guntur districts to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Murasu. Preliminary estimates have put the state’s losses at around Rs 1,918.5 crore,” Naidu said in an official press release late on Thursday.

At least eight people have died in cyclone-related incidents, officials said.

According to the preliminary assessment, agricultural crops were damaged across 1.4 lakh hectares, affecting over 1.8 lakh farmers. Horticultural crops suffered damage across 6,749 hectares, impacting 12,586 farmers.

The cyclone also damaged 983 houses, 346 boats and 220 fishing nets.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that an accurate assessment of crop losses would take another 48 to 72 hours after floodwaters receded.

Under the Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Ltd (APCPDCL), 871 of the 1,103 affected 11-kV feeders have been restored, while 1,493 of the 3,946 damaged electricity poles have been repaired.

The Roads and Buildings Department reported damage to 760 km of major district roads and state highways, while fallen trees at all 206 identified locations have been cleared.

The Panchayat Raj Engineering Department reported damage to 74 rural roads spanning 204 km, with restoration estimated to cost Rs 92 crore.

As of Thursday, 30,518 of the state’s 31,428 telecom towers were operational, restoring 97 per cent of services. Restoration remained pending at a few locations in Bapatla, Prakasam and West Godavari districts.

The cyclone affected 59 mandals and 649 gram panchayats, while all 336 identified drainage blockages had been cleared.

Officials were also monitoring floodwater flows and water levels in major reservoirs and canals.

Five people died in Bapatla district, two in Guntur and one in Palnadu, officials said.

The state government released Rs 37 crore to the districts for immediate relief, the press release said.

As many as 13 NDRF teams, 11 SDRF teams and 390 fire personnel participated in rescue and relief operations. Around 5.8 crore advance warning messages were sent to the public, it added.

Cyclone Murasu crossed the Andhra coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, on Tuesday.