Lokesh, Anita meet Amit Shah seek Central assistance, put Cyclone Montha loss at ₹6,352-crore

IT, Electronics and Education Minister Nara Lokesh and Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha on Tuesday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and gave a detailed presentation to him on the losses suffered by Andhra Pradesh due to Cyclone Montha.

Lokesh informed the Union Home Minister that the State has suffered an estimated ₹6,352 crore in losses after the cyclone made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast.

During the meeting, the Ministers from Andhra Pradesh said the cyclone inflicted severe damage across multiple sectors, causing significant hardship to residents in the affected regions. A total of 3,109 villages were impacted.

Minister Lokesh also briefed the Union Minister on the immediate relief measures taken by the state government, which he said helped minimise loss of life and property. Cyclone Montha crossed the coast near Kakinada on the night of October 28, bringing heavy rainfall and winds reaching 100 kmph, resulting in widespread destruction. Acting swiftly, the State Government evacuated 1.92 lakh people to 2,471 relief camps, where essential supplies, including food, drinking water, milk and other necessities were provided. Each affected family received an immediate relief payment of ₹3,000.

The State administration undertook urgent measures such as clearing fallen trees, restoring water supply, arranging temporary shelters and addressing critical infrastructure disruptions. An initial emergency relief fund of ₹60 crore was released.

According to the assessment, sector-wise losses include Agriculture & Allied Sectors ₹271 crore, Housing Damage ₹7 crore, Roads & Infrastructure ₹4,324 crore. Power Sector ₹41 crore, Water Resources & Irrigation Projects ₹369 crore, Permanent Structures ₹1,302 and Public Assets: ₹48 crore

Of the total ₹6,356-crore damage estimate, around ₹902 crore qualified for immediate relief and temporary restoration under NDRF guidelines.

Minister Lokesh also noted that a Central Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMCT) had conducted a field inspection on November 12, following the State's preliminary submissions. The delegation meeting Shah included several MPs from Andhra Pradesh.