Cyclone Montha has left a trail of devastation across Andhra Pradesh’s agricultural landscape. Initial reports from the Agriculture Department paint a somber picture, revealing that a staggering over 43,000 hectares of vital farmland now lie submerged, directly impacting the livelihoods of nearly 83,000 farmers across 292 mandals and 1,712 villages.
These preliminary estimates underscore the severe and widespread crop damage gripping the state’s coastal and neighboring districts. The most significant losses have been recorded in paddy and cotton fields, which collectively account for more than 80% of the total damaged area. Specifically, 31,267 hectares of paddy and 15,680 hectares of cotton crops have suffered extensive harm due to relentless rainfall and inundation.
Among the hardest-hit districts, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema reported the highest agricultural devastation, with 10,099 hectares submerged. It’s closely followed by Prakasam (8,299 ha), Y.S.R. Kadapa (3,767 ha), East Godavari (3,195 ha), and Bapatla (2,928 ha). Other coastal areas, including West Godavari, Kakinada, and Eluru, have also experienced considerable crop losses. The continuous downpour and subsequent flooding, directly attributed to Cyclone Montha, have proven particularly destructive to low-lying agricultural zones and crucial paddy-growing belts along the coastline.
Beyond paddy and cotton, other crops have also succumbed to the storm’s wrath. Maize suffered damage across 4,393 hectares, while blackgram fields spanning 3,004 hectares were affected. Smaller but still significant losses were noted in bajra, redgram, and soybean cultivation. Additionally, the cyclone impacted 53 hectares of crop nurseries, further compounding the challenges faced by the farming community.
Currently, enumeration teams are diligently conducting comprehensive field assessments to determine the complete scope of the damage. Once these detailed reports are finalized and consolidated, the government is expected to promptly roll out essential compensation and rehabilitation measures to support the affected farmers in their recovery efforts.