Chandrababu Writes to Centre Seeking Support for Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for immediate financial assistance to support the state, which has suffered significant damage due to Cyclones Arnab and Murasu. In a letter to Amit Shah, the Chief Minister explained the damage caused to crops, property and public infrastructure across several districts, along with the difficulties faced by residents and the relief measures undertaken by the state government. Chandrababu also spoke to Amit Shah over the phone twice on the same day, briefing him on the cyclone situation and the challenges faced by the state. He said that Andhra Pradesh had not fully recovered from the impact of Cyclone Arnab when Cyclone Murasu further worsened the situation.

According to the preliminary assessment shared by the Chief Minister, Cyclone Murasu caused damage estimated at ₹343.95 crore across eight government departments. Nearly 94 per cent of the losses were reported in the agricultural sector. Crops were damaged across 50,473 hectares in 465 villages spread over seven districts, affecting around 69,828 farmers. Paddy cultivation suffered damage across approximately 45,900 hectares, with preliminary agricultural losses estimated at ₹324.22 crore. Bapatla, Krishna and Guntur districts were among the worst-affected areas, while horticultural crops also suffered losses. The government had alerted the State Disaster Management Authority, Real Time Governance Society and emergency operation centres in advance. It also deployed 11 SDRF and 13 NDRF teams, established 480 relief centres in affected districts and relocated 12,230 people to safer locations.

Chandrababu thanked Amit Shah for arranging a central team to assess the cyclone damage. He said that a comprehensive assessment of losses to crops, houses, roads, electricity infrastructure and irrigation resources would be prepared once conditions return to normal. The state government will submit a detailed report to the Centre after completing the assessment. Emphasising the financial burden caused by consecutive cyclones, the Chief Minister urged the Union Government to extend adequate assistance and cooperate in restoring normalcy in the affected areas as quickly as possible.