Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday carried out an aerial survey of cyclone-affected areas to assess the extent of damage caused by Cyclone ‘Montha’. Flying over heavily flooded regions in Bapatla, Palnadu, Krishna and Eluru districts, he reviewed the impact of the cyclone on infrastructure, crops and livelihoods.

As part of his visit, the Chief Minister stopped at a relief camp in Odalarevu village of Allavaram mandal in Konaseema district. There, he distributed essential supplies to evacuees, including 25 kilograms of rice, other necessities and Rs 3,000 in cash per family. The visit aimed to collect firsthand information about the situation and to plan recovery measures for the affected communities.

What did the Chief Minister say about the cyclone’s impact?

Naidu said that two people had died in the state due to the severe cyclonic storm Montha and noted that precautionary steps helped reduce the overall damage.

“Whatever extensive damage occurred because of this (cyclone). This is a major calamity to the state. However, we managed to save a bit. We brought 1.8 lakh people into relief camps. I came to see how the camps are,” he said.

He added, “We turned off power in emergency situations and revived immediately,” stating that except for four substations, all others had been restored. The Chief Minister also pointed out that paddy and horticultural crops had been damaged.

“There was extreme rain in some districts like Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla district and Parchur areas. I saw in my aerial survey, these places were flooded,” he added.

What instructions were given to officials?

Earlier, Naidu directed the entire government machinery to continue their efforts for another two days to provide further relief to people affected by the cyclone. He also instructed officials to assess the damage across various departments so that detailed reports could be submitted to the Union government.

How severe was the cyclone’s impact on Andhra Pradesh?

Cyclone Montha crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast past midnight on Tuesday, damaging crops spread over 1.50 lakh acres and disrupting electricity and transport services. Authorities said that the damage was minimised due to timely precautionary measures. Neighbouring Telangana also received heavy rainfall under its influence.

Montha, meaning a fragrant flower in Thai, made landfall near Antarvedi village in Konaseema district, close to Narasapur in West Godavari district, in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.

After making landfall, Montha weakened into a deep depression over coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Telangana. According to the Meteorological Department, it is likely to move north to northwestwards towards south Chhattisgarh and gradually weaken into a depression.

Preliminary government estimates on Tuesday suggested that agricultural crops over 38,000 hectares were destroyed, while horticulture crops in about 1.38 lakh hectares were affected.

What did ministers and officials report?

Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu said on Wednesday that although the intensity of ‘Montha’ had reduced after landfall, power and transport disruptions continued in several districts.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams continued clearing operations. Fallen trees were removed from the Nizampatnam–Repalle road, Machilipatnam–Manginapudi road and the Anakapalli and Machilipatnam regions.

G Sai Prasad, Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management), said the Chief Minister reviewed the rain and flood situation and instructed officials to ensure distribution of essential commodities. The government will supply 25 kilograms of rice along with red gram dal, cooking oil, onions, potatoes and sugar — one kilogram each. For weavers and fishermen, the quantity of rice will be doubled.

On Wednesday morning, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed Vijayawada city, uprooting trees and flooding several roads under the cyclone’s impact.

The Meteorological Department forecast light to moderate rainfall in most parts of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, with heavy to very heavy rain expected at some locations until 29 October. It also warned of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm at isolated places during the same period. For 30 October, it predicted light to moderate rainfall in many areas, with heavy rain at isolated places in north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Several districts in Telangana also experienced heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Montha. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday directed the entire state administration to stay on high alert.

Reviewing the cyclone’s impact, especially on paddy harvesting, Reddy instructed officials to take steps to minimise losses and to make special arrangements at paddy and cotton procurement centres, according to an official release.

Heavy rains disrupted train services in parts of Telangana, with trains such as the Golconda Express and Konark Express halted at Dornakal Junction in Mahabubabad district and Gundratimadugu station. Several others were diverted by railway authorities. The Chief Minister advised officials to make alternative arrangements for stranded passengers.