Andhra Pradesh seeks ₹4,500 crore relief after dual cyclone strikes

The Andhra Pradesh government has quantified substantial losses from back-to-back cyclonic systems that struck the state, with very severe cyclonic storm Arnab causing an estimated ₹4,563 crore in damage, followed by severe cyclonic storm Murasu which inflicted an additional ₹343 crore in losses.

In a formal communication to the Centre, Chief Minister Naidu has requested immediate sanctioning of ₹4,563 crore in relief assistance for cyclone Arnab recovery efforts. The state government has already briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the extent of the damage through multiple communications, detailing the widespread impact across multiple districts.

According to damage assessments submitted to the Centre, cyclone Arnab impacted 781 villages across the state. The weather system destroyed crops spanning three lakh hectares and damaged 13,600 horticultural holdings spread across 16 districts. The cyclone also damaged approximately 29,000 electric poles, disrupting power infrastructure in affected areas.

The twin cyclones, striking within a seven-day window, have posed significant recovery challenges for the state administration. Officials have indicated that the combination of successive weather systems has compounded agricultural losses and infrastructure damage, necessitating coordinated central government support for relief and rehabilitation operations.