Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu seeks central aid following cyclones

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has requested immediate financial assistance from the Indian central government to recover from the combined impact of cyclones Arnab and Murasu. In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Naidu detailed extensive property and crop losses, noting that Murasu struck before the state could fully recover from the previous storm.

Preliminary estimates indicate that Cyclone Murasu caused losses of approximately Rs 343.95 crore across eight departments, with agriculture accounting for nearly 94% of the damage. The storm affected 50,473 hectares of crops across 465 villages in seven districts, impacting roughly 69,828 farmers. Paddy crops alone accounted for 45,900 hectares of the damaged area, with agricultural losses estimated at Rs 324.22 crore.

Chief Minister Naidu has also reviewed field-level preparedness for the ongoing situation. Officials warned of potential flooding in the Nagarjunasagar and Pulichintala projects, with possible water flows of 30 to 50 TMC. While the impact of Murasu is expected to be less severe than Cyclone Arnab, officials estimate up to 8,000 electricity poles could be affected in South Coast Andhra and Rayalaseema districts.