CM Naidu Seeks Immediate Interim Aid From Centre For Cyclone-Hit AP

Vijayawada:Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has written to Union home minister Amit Shah seeking immediate interim central assistance for Andhra Pradesh following two successive cyclone hits on the state within a week.

Naidu said preliminary estimates put the damage caused by cyclone Murasu at Rs 1,919.59 crore.

When the state was still recovering from cyclone Arnab on October 27, Murasu brought heavy rain and strong winds, damaging infrastructure, electricity networks and roads. Farmers and fishermen suffered losses twice in the same season, he said.

A comprehensive assessment would be taken up after floodwaters receded, and a detailed report would be submitted to the Centre within 15 days, Naidu said.

The preliminary assessment cited in the CM’s letter showed that Murasu damaged crops across 1,43,122 hectares, affecting 1,86,063 farmers, with losses estimated at `874.96 crore. Horticultural crops were damaged across 6,504.38 hectares, affecting 12,178 farmers, with losses estimated at `337.10 crore.

Damage was also reported in animal husbandry, aquaculture, housing, irrigation, electricity, panchayat raj, education and health sectors.

Naidu urged the Centre to release assistance immediately for farmers, fishermen, families whose houses were damaged and other affected people. The funds would help restore essential services across the districts, he said.

On Friday, Naidu toured cyclone-hit areas of Guntur and Bapatla districts, inspecting inundated fields and damaged crops.

After an aerial survey, he travelled from Jillellamudi to Returu via Suryalanka Air Force station, walking along field bunds and irrigation channels. He spoke to farmers about their investments, expected yields and losses, and inspected eroded roads.

Farmers complained that damaged gates of the Nallamada stream had hampered water management. Naidu directed officials to repair them and prepare proposals for new gates wherever necessary. He called for a permanent solution to the Nallamada drain problem and greater awareness of crop insurance.

Irrigation water should be made available before the regular cultivation season so that farmers could complete sowing ahead of the cyclone-prone period, he said.

Addressing farmers at Returu, Naidu said Guntur, Bapatla and Prakasam districts had been badly affected. Farmers had faced difficulties due to El Niño but had taken up cultivation after irrigation water was supplied through Pattiseema and were expecting good yields. Murasu damaged their crops just as they were ready for harvest, he said.

Naidu promised assistance to every affected person, including the last beneficiary. Crop insurance and input subsidies would help farmers recover their investments, while the government was monitoring damage assessments, he said.

Naidu said 30,000 electricity poles damaged during cyclone Arnab had been restored, while Murasu had damaged another 10,000. Power supply to aquaculture ponds was being restored on priority. The state had sought assistance from Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for relief and restoration. The Centre had been kept informed, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had enquired about the situation, he said.

The Chief Minister pointed to the contrast between repeated cyclones along the coast and drought-like conditions in Rayalaseema due to El Niño. While floodwaters flowed into the sea, Rayalaseema faced water scarcity. The government would prioritise water security and prepare plans to utilise floodwaters more effectively, he said.