Andhra Pradesh and Telangana continue to grapple with the devastating aftermath of Cyclone Montha, which left behind widespread destruction, inundated fields, and collapsed infrastructure across multiple districts. Preliminary assessments indicate damages amounting to ₹5,625 crore in Andhra Pradesh alone, while Telangana reels under severe floods disrupting lives, agriculture, and connectivity. Both state governments have initiated rapid relief and recovery measures to restore normalcy and provide assistance to affected communities.
Massive Damages Across Andhra Pradesh
Cyclone Montha, which struck the coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh earlier this week, unleashed torrential rains and strong winds, causing extensive damage to crops, roads, and essential infrastructure. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced after a high-level review meeting on Thursday that the total estimated losses stood at ₹5,625 crore, based on preliminary evaluations.
According to N Chandrababu Naidu, the agriculture sector bore losses worth ₹829 crore, while the Roads and Buildings Department reported damages amounting to ₹2,079 crore. Irrigation infrastructure, although affected, faced relatively lesser impact compared to previous cyclones. “We anticipated the intensity of Cyclone Montha well in advance and took timely preventive steps that helped minimize the destruction,” N Chandrababu Naidu told reporters.
The Chief Minister highlighted that advanced planning, technology integration, and real-time coordination played a crucial role in reducing damage and ensuring quick restoration of essential services. “Every household in the affected areas was geotagged, enabling us to monitor the situation closely and act swiftly. In the past, restoring power supply after an outage used to take up to 10 hours, but this time, our teams managed to restore it within three hours,” N Chandrababu Naidu said, lauding the efficiency of the administration.
He commended the commitment and teamwork of field staff, disaster management units, and local volunteers who acted promptly to clear fallen trees and restore connectivity in record time. “Earlier, it would take nearly a week to remove uprooted trees after a cyclone, but this time, we did it within hours. Natural calamities are unavoidable, but timely preparedness can certainly reduce their consequences,” N Chandrababu Naidu remarked.
The Chief Minister confirmed that a comprehensive damage report will soon be finalized and forwarded to the Central government seeking financial assistance. He emphasized that the state administration remains focused on relief and rehabilitation, ensuring that affected families receive timely help. “Our collective effort reflects the government’s commitment to protect lives, livelihoods, and ensure resilient disaster management practices,” N Chandrababu Naidu said.
Principal Secretary (Agriculture) Buditi Rajasekhar stated that nearly 70% of crop losses in Andhra Pradesh were reported in paddy fields, particularly in Konaseema, Kakinada, and Nellore districts. He urged officials to assess the crop damage swiftly and record the findings based on the growth stage and recovery potential of affected fields. “The government’s top priority is to provide accurate compensation and ensure that no farmer is left behind,” Rajasekhar added.
The Roads and Buildings Department also began a rapid assessment to determine the scale of infrastructure losses. Major highways and rural link roads in coastal districts suffered severe damage due to flooding, landslides, and uprooted trees. Restoration work began immediately with the help of local bodies, the public works department, and the electricity board. “Earlier, such efforts took several days to commence, but now, teams are working around the clock to reopen blocked routes,” N Chandrababu Naidu said, crediting the improved efficiency to the state’s digitized disaster response system.
Field officers across districts were instructed to document damage using geo-tagged evidence, enabling real-time updates to the command centre at the state secretariat. “Our disaster management strategy combines technology with grassroots coordination,” said N Chandrababu Naidu, emphasizing that early alerts, communication systems, and coordination between departments had improved significantly.
The Chief Minister also praised the role of the village secretariats and volunteers, calling their response “a symbol of modern governance and administrative reform.” These teams, he said, were instrumental in delivering food packets, medical aid, and shelter materials to cyclone-hit areas. “The spirit of teamwork among departments ensured that we avoided a major humanitarian crisis,” he said.
Telangana Struggles with Heavy Floods and Crop Losses
While Andhra Pradesh focused on post-cyclone recovery, neighbouring Telangana faced another phase of the cyclone’s fury as heavy rains triggered flash floods across several districts. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy held an emergency video conference with district collectors and senior officials on Thursday evening, directing them to initiate relief measures on a war footing.
Districts including Warangal, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Nalgonda, and Khammam witnessed severe flooding, damaging roads, homes, and farmlands. According to official reports, large portions of paddy and cotton crops were submerged, particularly in the erstwhile Warangal and Nalgonda regions. The chief minister instructed collectors to prioritize evacuation from flood-prone zones, ensure safety of livestock, and provide immediate shelter and rehabilitation facilities.
“Protecting lives and restoring essential services must be our first priority. Officials must act immediately to shift people from vulnerable areas and provide them with food, shelter, and healthcare,” Reddy said. The CM also directed officials to coordinate with the disaster management authority and the irrigation department to monitor water levels in reservoirs and release excess flow where necessary.
An official statement from the government noted that “huge flood damages were reported in Husnabad Assembly constituency and several low-lying regions.” With reports of paddy stocks being soaked or washed away from procurement centres, Reddy ordered the immediate transfer of all stored paddy to safe warehouses and rice mills. “No farmer should lose their hard-earned crop to avoidable negligence,” he said.
The Chief Minister is scheduled to conduct an aerial survey on Friday morning to personally inspect the extent of damage in Warangal and Husnabad districts. He will review the affected areas, including fields where crops have wilted due to excessive rainfall. Reddy’s visit aims to assess the on-ground situation and ensure swift government response to meet farmers’ urgent needs.
Meanwhile, several teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed to flood-hit areas to carry out rescue operations. In coordination with local police and municipal staff, they are evacuating stranded residents, clearing blockages, and ensuring medical assistance reaches affected villages.
Officials said that over 3,000 people were shifted to relief camps in Warangal and Khammam districts. Temporary shelters have been set up in schools and community halls, where essential items such as food packets, blankets, and drinking water are being distributed. “Our teams are working continuously to ensure no one goes hungry or homeless,” an official from the disaster management department said.
In Karimnagar and Peddapalli, floodwaters inundated several low-lying colonies, disrupting transportation and communication networks. Authorities have suspended traffic on damaged bridges and advised residents to remain indoors until the water levels recede. Power supply in several villages was temporarily disconnected as a safety measure. Restoration work is expected to begin once waterlogging is cleared.
Revanth Reddy praised district administrations for their prompt coordination but emphasized the need for constant vigilance. “The situation demands real-time monitoring. Every department must remain alert to prevent loss of life and ensure rapid recovery,” he said.
Meteorological officials have predicted continued moderate rainfall in some Telangana regions due to residual moisture from the cyclone’s trail. They advised farmers to monitor their fields and avoid immediate sowing until conditions stabilize. The agriculture department is planning to dispatch expert teams to assess soil quality and recommend suitable recovery measures for affected farmers.
The twin states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, though facing different magnitudes of Cyclone Montha’s impact, have displayed strong administrative coordination and emergency preparedness. Both governments have highlighted the importance of technology-driven response systems, inter-departmental collaboration, and proactive disaster management to mitigate future calamities.
As restoration efforts continue, officials in both states are focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, assessing crop losses, and ensuring that no affected family is left without support. Cyclone Montha has once again underscored the vulnerability of India’s eastern coastline to extreme weather events and the urgent need for resilient climate and disaster management frameworks in the years to come.
