Cyclone Montha Causes Destruction in Andhra Pradesh

Summary of Cyclone Montha Impact in Andhra Pradesh

Overview of the Cyclone

• Name: Cyclone Montha
• Landfall Timing: Crossed Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapuram between 11:30 PM (October 28) and 12:30 AM (October 29)
• Wind Speed: Reached up to 90 km/h near Machilipatnam coast
• Weakening: Transitioned to a cyclonic storm by 2:30 AM and further into a deep depression by 8:30 AM on October 29.

Damage Assessment

• Human Toll: 2 fatalities reported.
• Agricultural Impact:
  • Damage to 87,000 hectares of crops.
  • 59,000 hectares of paddy, cotton, maize, and black gram submerged.
  • Severe losses reported for 78,796 farmers.
• Infrastructure Damage:
  • Roads and Bridges: Damage to 14 bridges, multiple culverts; 2,294 km of Roads and Buildings department roads affected.
  • Estimated Financial Losses:
    • Roads and Buildings Department: ₹1,424 crore.
    • Rural Water Supply: ₹36 crore.
    • Irrigation Works: ₹16.45 crore.

Heavy Rainfall Statistics

• Notable Rainfall:
  • Ongole (Prakasam): 25 cm
  • Chimakurthi (Prakasam): 24 cm
  • Kandukur, Kavali (SPSR Nellore): 22 cm
  • Addanki (Bapatla): 19 cm
• Total Stations: 27 stations recorded 10 cm or more of rainfall.

Government Response

• Evacuations: Over 1.8 lakh people evacuated to 2,200 relief camps to minimize casualties.
• Compensation Announced:
  • Fisherfolk and weavers: 50 kg rice + essential commodities + ₹3,000 per family.
  • Other affected individuals: 25 kg rice.
• Chief Minister's Statement: CM N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the effectiveness of evacuation strategies and technology in disaster preparedness.

Additional Notes

• Local Impact:
  • Narsapuram coast: No major damage, though 268 trees uprooted.
  • Kakinada coast: Significant impact, including damage to 61 houses and 51 km of roads.
• Rescue Operations: Ongoing search for a fisherman presumed drowned near Kakinada Deepsea port.

Constitutional and Policy References

• Disaster Management Policies: Referencing disaster preparedness and response measures in alignment with the National Disaster Management Act and State Disaster Management Plans.

Relevant Statistics

• Affected Area: 87,000 hectares.
• Financial Losses: Total estimates nearing ₹1,500 crore across affected sectors.

This summary encapsulates the vital statistics, governmental responses, and impact assessments following Cyclone Montha in Andhra Pradesh, prioritizing factual and objective reporting for exam-oriented clarity.