Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed cyclone relief and restoration operations, with preliminary assessments indicating that more than 3.33 lakh hectares of agricultural crops and 22,452 hectares of horticultural crops have been affected across the state.
According to officials, power supply has been restored in 4,771 of the 5,400 villages affected in the APEPDCL region, while work is pending in 629 villages. In Krishna district, under APCPDCL, electricity has been restored in 835 of the 915 affected villages, with restoration pending in another 80.
The cyclone damaged 2,396 km of major district roads and state highways under the Roads and Buildings Department. West Godavari reported the highest damage at 552 km, followed by Konaseema (396 km), East Godavari (372 km), Srikakulam (309 km), Anakapalli (236 km) and Visakhapatnam (211 km).
Of the 62 road breaches reported, 22 have been repaired, while 40 remain pending. Restoration work has been completed on 13 of the 34 damaged causeways. Similarly, 83 of the 102 damaged culverts and other cross-drainage structures have been restored.
All 2,264 trees uprooted by the cyclone and blocking roads have been cleared. Traffic movement has been restored at 99 of the 133 locations where roads were obstructed, while work is continuing at 34 locations.
Preliminary estimates show that 3,33,268 hectares of agricultural crops across 16 districts have been affected. West Godavari reported the largest affected area at 76,752 hectares, followed by Kakinada (52,253 hectares), East Godavari (49,959 hectares), Konaseema (46,845 hectares) and Krishna (44,836 hectares).
The final crop-loss assessment is yet to be completed. Agriculture department officials told the review meeting that several crops were at critical flowering and crop-formation stages when the cyclone struck. They said the extent of damage would become clearer as water recedes from submerged fields.
An estimated 22,452 hectares of horticultural crops across 15 districts have been affected. Konaseema accounts for nearly half the damage, with 11,229 hectares, followed by East Godavari with 4,423 hectares.
Other affected districts include Krishna (1,350 hectares), Bapatla (1,182 hectares), Kakinada (1,048 hectares), West Godavari (903 hectares), Eluru (415 hectares) and Guntur (415 hectares).
The chief minister reviewed the progress of restoration work and directed officials to continue relief operations and expedite the restoration of essential services in cyclone-hit areas.
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