The Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Montha’ has inflicted extensive damage to agricultural lands, public infrastructure, and homes across Andhra Pradesh and the bordering southern districts of Odisha. The powerful storm made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts late on October 28, crossing between 11:30 PM and 12:30 AM on October 29 near Narsapur, close to Kakinada. The landfall process itself commenced around 7:00 PM.

Andhra Pradesh Bears Brunt of Cyclone Fury

Preliminary reports from Andhra Pradesh officials indicate widespread devastation, particularly to the state’s agriculture and power sector.

* Agricultural Losses: An estimated 83,000 farmers have been severely impacted, with preliminary damage figures suggesting crop losses across more than 43,000 hectares. Standing crops, including paddy, cotton, maize, and various vegetables, were destroyed by the heavy rain and high winds.

* Infrastructure Collapse: The power infrastructure in the Kakinada region sustained heavy damage as electric poles and roadside trees were uprooted during the storm’s crossing. The loss to the state’s power sector alone is currently pegged at approximately Rs 2,200 crore.

* Road Network Disrupted: Road communication was hampered across several districts. The Road and Building Department reported damage to roughly 1,632 km of roads. Transport and Roads & Buildings Minister B C Janardhan Reddy stated that the cyclone caused potholes and road erosion at 69 locations, though restoration work is proceeding on a war footing, with repairs completed at 16 sites so far.

Southern Odisha Experiences Severe Rainfall Impact

Though the cyclone did not pass directly over Odisha, its peripheral effects brought torrential rainfall and strong winds to its southern districts, including Gajapati, Ganjam, Koraput, Rayagada, and Kalahandi.

* Torrential Downpour: The Goshani block of Gajapati district recorded the highest rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8:00 AM on October 29, at 150.5 mm. This was followed by 119.8 mm in Rayagada block (Gajapati) and 117.4 mm in Patrapur block (Ganjam).

* Localized Damage: Heavy rain triggered landslides and uprooted trees in the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border district of Gajapati, disrupting road communication. The district’s collector, Madhumita, confirmed that road access was restored quickly through the immediate clearance of debris and fallen trees. Houses were also reported damaged in Ganjam and Gajapati.

* Farmer Distress: Farmers in the affected districts, such as Ganjam, reported significant crop inundation. Niranjan Mohanty, a farmer in Kukudakhandi block, expressed fear of losing the paddy crop on his two acres of land, which was nearing the harvesting stage.

Government Response and Relief Efforts

Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management minister, Suresh Pujari, convened a meeting in Bhubaneswar to assess the post-cyclone situation. He noted that a total of 33 blocks and 11 urban bodies in the state were affected by the rains.
The state government’s preemptive measures included the evacuation of over 19,000 people from low-lying and landslide-prone areas to safety, with the highest number, over 10,000, being evacuated in Gajapati district.

“We have asked district collectors to furnish their damage report soon after assessing the damage,” Minister Pujari stated, assuring that “The state government will provide compensation to victims, including farmers, as soon as the report is provided.” The formal assessment of crop damage in Odisha is scheduled to commence on October 30.

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