New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu confirmed that two people lost their lives after Cyclone Montha made landfall along the state’s coast before weakening into a deep depression as it moved inland toward Telangana. The state government has shifted focus from emergency response to large-scale relief and restoration work in the affected regions.
During a high-level review meeting on Wednesday, Naidu directed officials to continue relief operations on a war footing for the next two days to ensure maximum support to those impacted. He said that proactive measures had helped minimize casualties and emphasized the need for sustained coordination to restore normalcy quickly.
Ministers and senior officials have been tasked with visiting flood-hit areas to assess the damage and submit comprehensive reports to the Centre. Essential supplies and financial assistance have already been mobilized, while restoration of key services is progressing rapidly, particularly in the coastal districts worst hit by the cyclone.
In Konaseema district, where over 300 electric poles were uprooted and 54 substations damaged, power restoration has reached nearly 80 percent completion. More than 10,000 personnel are working across the state to repair damaged electrical lines. Fallen trees and debris have been cleared along 134 km of major roads, allowing full resumption of APSRTC bus services and smooth movement along National Highway 16.
Preliminary estimates point to extensive agricultural damage, with standing crops on about 38,000 hectares and horticultural fields on 1.38 lakh hectares affected. The government has announced financial relief of Rs 3,000 per family in relief camps along with 25 kg of rice, pulses, oil, and sugar. Fishermen and weavers will receive double the rice allocation.
The sacred pilgrimage site of Srisailam in Nandyal district suffered significant damage due to heavy rain and landslides. A major slide near the Patalaganga steps destroyed three shops, though no casualties were reported. Road access to the area remains disrupted, and authorities have urged devotees to avoid travel until conditions improve and the red alert for extreme rainfall is lifted.
