Cyclone Murasu causes Rs 1,919 crore damage in Andhra Pradesh
Preliminary assessments indicate that 1.4 lakh hectares of agricultural crops were damaged by the cyclone, affecting over 1.8 lakh farmers.
Cyclone Murasu has caused estimated losses of Rs 1,919 crore in Andhra Pradesh, according to preliminary assessments reported by Telangana Today on Friday. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation with officials on Thursday and ordered the acceleration of recovery and relief efforts.
The cyclone damaged agricultural crops across 1.4 lakh hectares, impacting more than 1.8 lakh farmers. Horticultural crops saw damage across 6,749 hectares, affecting 12,586 farmers. At least eight people have died in incidents related to the cyclone, with five deaths in Bapatla, two in Guntur, and one in Palnadu.
Other damages include 983 houses, 346 boats, and 220 fishing nets. The state government has released Rs 37 crore to the districts for immediate relief. Officials noted that a precise assessment of crop losses will take 48 to 72 hours once floodwaters recede.
Infrastructure was also hit, with 760 km of major district roads and state highways damaged. The Panchayat Raj Engineering Department reported damage to 74 rural roads spanning 204 km, with restoration costs estimated at Rs 92 crore. In the power sector, 1,493 of 3,946 damaged electricity poles have been repaired.
The cyclone crossed the coast between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, on Tuesday. Rescue operations involved 13 NDRF teams, 11 SDRF teams, and 390 fire personnel.