Andhra Pradesh effectively managed back-to-back cyclones, says CM Naidu
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu stated that the state focused on saving lives and limiting property damage during the recent storms.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the Andhra Pradesh government effectively managed the impact of Cyclones Arnab and Murasu. Addressing the media at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Naidu noted that the response focused on protecting lives and reducing property damage, according to The Hindu.
Naidu stated that the government used the AI-powered Andhra Pradesh Weather Forecasting & Early Warning Research Centre (AWARE 2.0) system to monitor Cyclone Murasu. He asserted that forecasts regarding rainfall, wind speed, and flood management were 90 per cent accurate, allowing for the advance identification of flood-prone villages.
The Chief Minister reported that Cyclone Arnab caused losses estimated at roughly ₹4,526 crore. The storm affected more than 3.52 lakh hectares of crops and over 23,211 hectares of horticulture crops. The state has requested assistance from the Centre to manage these losses.
To prepare for the storms, the government stocked two months of essential supplies in 19,265 ration shops across 17 districts. Medical camps, ambulances, and emergency medicines were also deployed to the affected areas.
Naidu mentioned that while the storms allowed for the diversion of 11 tmcft of water to reservoirs and 25 tmcft to minor irrigation tanks, the state still faces a 28 per cent rainfall deficit. He thanked the Centre and the governments of Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu for their help.
To reduce future damage, the government is considering installing wind-resistant electricity poles and studying cyclone-tolerant crop varieties, Naidu said.