Daijiworld Media Network - Amaravati

Amaravati, Oct 29: Severe Cyclone Montha made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Wednesday, unleashing powerful winds and torrential rains that left two people dead and caused widespread damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure.

The cyclone, which crossed the coast near Narsapur between Machilipatnam and Kakinada, uprooted hundreds of trees and electricity poles, snapped power lines, and submerged roads and residential areas. Lakes and streams across the coastal belt overflowed under the relentless downpour, inundating several low-lying villages.

Rescue and relief operations were launched swiftly by NDRF and SDRF teams, who worked through the day to clear blocked roads, remove fallen trees, and restore electricity in affected zones.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Montha weakened into a cyclone after crossing the coast and later into a deep depression. It is expected to continue moving north-northwestwards over Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and south Chhattisgarh, losing further intensity within the next few hours.

Agriculture bore the brunt of the storm’s fury. In Konaseema district, paddy crops over 20,000 acres were flattened, according to Agriculture Minister K. Atchenaidu. Similar reports of crop destruction have emerged from other coastal regions as well.

In Vijayawada, heavy rainfall submerged several roads and flooded residential colonies, disrupting traffic and forcing residents in low-lying areas to evacuate. Bapatla district police rescued 20 devotees trapped in rising floodwaters near a shrine.

A major portion of National Highway 16 (Kolkata–Chennai) was also inundated near Timmapuram in Palnadu district, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill. Meanwhile, landslides forced the closure of the Srisailam ghat road, with police halting vehicles at Pedda Dornala and deploying JCBs to clear debris.

In Prakasam district, floodwaters entered tunnels of the Veligonda project, prompting the safe evacuation of 200 workers. Further west, rising levels in the Kundu River, Maddileru, and Chama Kaluva streams inundated parts of Nandyal district, cutting off road connectivity at Boyarevula bridge.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu personally reviewed the situation, visiting cyclone-hit Udelarevu in Konaseema and conducting an aerial survey of the affected regions. He held discussions with district collectors and ministers via teleconference, emphasizing coordinated efforts to minimize damage.

Naidu stated that effective preparedness over the past few days helped mitigate larger losses. The government has announced financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per person sheltered in relief camps, capped at ?3,000 per family. Officials confirmed that the aid would be distributed once families return home.

Approximately 75,000 people have been evacuated to relief camps across the impacted districts. The government also authorized district collectors to distribute free essential commodities to affected households and fishermen, including:

• 25 kg of rice (50 kg for weavers and fishermen)
• 1 kg each of red gram dal, onions, potatoes, and sugar
• 1 litre of palm oil

With the system weakening, authorities are now shifting focus from rescue to rehabilitation—assessing damage, restoring essential services, and helping families rebuild their lives in the wake of Cyclone Montha’s devastation.