Cyclone Murasu damages crops in 15 Andhra Pradesh districts
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu hit the coast on Tuesday, affecting 1.75 lakh people and damaging paddy, cotton and corn crops.
Cyclone Murasu crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narasapur, near Ongole, between 3.30 am and 5.30 am on Tuesday, according to Urban Acres. The storm brought winds of 100-110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph, causing damage to crops, roads, electric poles and fishing boats.
According to Business Standard, preliminary estimations show that 30,661 acres of crops were damaged across 15 districts. Officials stated that paddy, cotton and corn crops suffered the most damage, particularly in the Krishna, Bapatla and Nandyala districts.
The cyclone affected 132 mandals in 15 districts and impacted approximately 1.75 lakh people in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Prabhat Khabar reported. As a precaution, 3,066 pregnant women and 1,008 nursing mothers were moved to hospitals.
Authorities evacuated 10,805 people to cyclone shelters. The state government arranged 171 relief camps and distributed 14,810 food packets, according to a press release cited by Business Standard.
For relief operations, 11 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 13 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were deployed. The Fire Department also deployed 185 teams to clear uprooted trees and stranded water.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the state machinery is coordinating with Central teams for rescue and relief. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated the Centre has assured the state of every possible assistance.