(Image source from: Outlookbusiness.com)
A powerful cyclone named Montha hit the Andhra Pradesh coast early on Wednesday, causing significant destruction. It killed two people and damaged homes, farms, and power lines, also stopping cars from moving. Strong winds knocked over trees and power poles, and heavy rains made lakes and rivers spill over their banks. Some villages and town neighborhoods in coastal regions were flooded. Roads in several places were also underwater, making it hard for vehicles to pass. Rescue teams from the NDRF and SDRF were busy clearing fallen trees and poles. They were also working to bring back electricity to the affected areas.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the severe cyclone made landfall near Narsapur, located between Machilipatnam and Kakinada. It then became weaker, first turning into a cyclone and then a deep depression. This weather system is expected to travel north-northwest through Andhra Pradesh, neighboring Telangana, and southern Chhattisgarh, becoming even weaker into a depression within the next six hours.
The cyclone badly damaged crops in the coastal areas. Agriculture Minister K. Atchenaidu stated that in the Konaseema district alone, rice crops on over 20,000 acres were destroyed. Vijayawada also experienced heavy rainfall due to the cyclone, leading to flooding in its lower-lying parts. City roads were blocked by water, making it hard for cars to pass, and some homes got flooded. In Bapatla, police saved 20 people from floodwaters at a religious site.
A section of National Highway 16 near Timmapuram in Palnadu district was underwater, stopping all vehicles. Landslides caused the Srisailam mountain road to close, and police prevented cars from going to Srisailam from Pedda Dornala in Prakasam district. Machines were used to clear the road.
In Prakasam district, water filled two tunnels of the Veligonda project, so 200 workers inside were safely taken out. In Nandyal district, the Kundu River, Maddileru, and Chama Kaluva streams overflowed, flooding lower areas. Water covered the bridge at Boyarevula, stopping cars. Meanwhile, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu visited Udelarevu in Konaseema district, which was hit by the cyclone. He plans to talk with officials and local leaders about the damage. He also flew over the cyclone-hit areas. Earlier, the Chief Minister spoke by phone with district leaders, officials, and ministers to give advice on how to deal with the flooded areas.
He said they could lessen the harm by handling the storm well over those four to five days. The government has decided to give 1,000 rupees to each person who stayed in emergency shelters. Families with more than three people can get up to 3,000 rupees. Officials stated that this money will be given to them when they go back home. Around 75,000 people were moved to these shelters in the impacted areas. Before this, the government allowed district leaders in these areas to give free basic goods to families in shelters and to fishermen who lost their way of making money. These families will receive 25 kg of rice (weavers and fishermen will get 50 kg), one kg of red lentils, one liter of palm oil, one kg of onions, one kg of potatoes, and one kg of sugar.
