Cyclone Montha: Chandrababu Naidu confirms 2 deaths in Andhra, orders relief

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said two people died in the state due to the severe cyclonic storm Montha, noting that precautionary measures had minimised the overall damage.

Reviewing the situation, Naidu directed officials to continue relief operations for the next two days and restore normalcy at the earliest. “If we work in the same way for another two days, we can give much relief to people. Due to the cyclone, two persons died,” he said in an official statement.

The chief minister instructed ministers and officials to visit affected areas, assess damages across departments, and submit detailed reports to the Union government. He also asked them to ensure the timely distribution of essential commodities to affected families.

Naidu appreciated the efforts of SDRF, police, and fire personnel for clearing uprooted trees and snapped power lines on a war footing. Around 10,000 personnel were kept on standby to restore power infrastructure, and the CM assured that normalcy would be restored by Wednesday afternoon.

He also undertook an aerial survey of cyclone-hit areas and is expected to visit Bapatla, Palnadu, Krishna, Konaseema and Eluru districts. Later, he is scheduled to inspect flooded fields in Allavaram mandal, Konaseema.

According to preliminary government estimates, standing crops in 38,000 hectares and horticultural crops in 1.38 lakh hectares were damaged due to Montha’s impact.

In Konaseema district, a 43-year-old woman died at Makanagudem village after a palmyra tree fell on her during strong winds, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) managing director Prakhar Jain confirmed. Jain said there were no major injuries reported and added that damage assessments were still underway.

In West Godavari district, Superintendent of Police Adnan Nayeem Asmi said 141 trees were uprooted and eight snakebite incidents were reported, but there was no loss of life. “Damage is very limited including the uprooting of some poles and trees. One or two thatched houses were damaged in Mogalturu area,” Asmi said, adding that power was cut in select areas for safety reasons.

Additional SP V Bhima Rao said preemptive preparations helped clear uprooted trees within 15 minutes, while advanced communication systems ensured quick response in coastal villages.

At Antarvedi village in Konaseema district, where Montha made landfall, around 200 trees and 70 power poles were damaged, and two people suffered minor injuries. Officials said there was light drizzle and cloudy skies on Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, the state government issued orders to distribute essential commodities free of cost to affected families, weavers, and fishermen. Each family in relief camps will receive 25 kg of rice, pulses, cooking oil, onions, potatoes, and sugar, while weavers and fishermen will get 50 kg of rice and double the quantities of other essentials.

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