Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently lauded the extraordinary team spirit that enabled his government to effectively manage Cyclone Montha, emphasizing the need to sustain this collaborative approach for future challenges.
During a felicitation ceremony for the ‘Cyclone Montha Fighters’ at his camp office on November 1, 2025, Mr. Naidu extended his gratitude to everyone involved in minimizing the cyclone’s impact, praising the seamless coordination between government officials and public representatives.
He announced that the invaluable experience gained from tackling Cyclone Montha would be systematically documented and compiled into a comprehensive manual, designed to serve as a vital guide for managing similar natural disasters in the future.
The Chief Minister noted that Andhra Pradesh typically confronts two significant natural challenges: droughts in the Rayalaseema region and cyclones along its coastal districts. He proudly stated that droughts in Rayalaseema have been largely overcome through efficient water management. Regarding cyclones, he highlighted the strategy of deploying dedicated teams of skilled officers for precautionary measures, and timely relief and rehabilitation (R&R) efforts for affected communities.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence, these specialized teams efficiently navigated the crisis using a proactive, five-point strategy. This included continuous monitoring of the cyclone’s trajectory, rapid dissemination of alerts, establishing robust rescue mechanisms, prompt rehabilitation of displaced populations, and meticulously planned restoration activities.
“Early tracking of rainfall, wind intensity, and other critical parameters allowed the government to prevent significant loss of life and property,” the Chief Minister remarked.
Mr. Naidu further detailed the innovative use of 602 drones to oversee R&R operations, as part of a Standard Operating Procedure that integrated satellite data, CCTV surveillance, and grassroots alerts. The Real Time Governance Centre played a crucial role, alongside the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and State police, in executing rescue and relief missions. He also revealed plans to soon launch a new village-level alert system.
The event was attended by several ministers, including Vangalapudi Anitha, Kandula Durgesh, Vasamsetti Subhash, and Dola Balaveeranjaneya Swamy, along with Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand. Chief Minister Naidu concluded the ceremony by presenting mementos and certificates to 137 officials and non-officials, acknowledging their exceptional dedication in rescuing and supporting people during and after Cyclone Montha made landfall on the A.P. coast.