Cyclone Montha Unleashes Devastation Across Andhra Pradesh, Leaving Fatalities and Widespread Crop Destruction

Severe cyclonic storm Montha has caused significant destruction across Andhra Pradesh, resulting in two fatalities and inundating 87,000 hectares of agricultural crops, officials reported on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The storm made landfall between the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts late Tuesday night, bringing strong winds and torrential rains, as confirmed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

thehindu.com reported, Preliminary assessments by state officials indicate that beyond the tragic loss of life, critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and culverts sustained considerable damage. Additionally, numerous trees were uprooted, disrupting transportation and power supply in affected regions, according to The Hindu on October 29, 2025.

The agricultural sector bore a heavy brunt, with 87,000 hectares of various crops submerged or flattened, impacting thousands of farmers. Paddy, maize, cotton, and black gram were among the most severely affected crops, facing extensive losses across 304 mandals, as reported by PTI on October 29, 2025.

thehindu.com noted, The storm crossed the coast near Narsapuram in Andhra Pradesh between 11:30 PM on Tuesday, October 28, and 12:30 AM on Wednesday, October 29, with wind speeds reaching up to 90 kmph near the Machilipatnam coast, The Hindu stated. This intense weather event rapidly weakened into a cyclonic storm and then a deep depression by early Wednesday morning.

In response to the calamity, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu conducted aerial surveys of the affected areas and reviewed relief measures, as reported by The Indian Express on October 29, 2025. The state government had proactively evacuated over 1.8 lakh people to 2,200 relief camps, a strategy credited with minimizing further loss of life.

deccanherald.com reported, The impact of Cyclone Montha extended beyond Andhra Pradesh, bringing heavy rains to neighboring Telangana and Odisha, causing disruptions and crop damage in those regions as well, according to The Indian Express on October 29, 2025. The storm's trajectory and intensity highlight the increasing vulnerability of coastal areas to extreme weather events.

Disaster management teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), were deployed to assist with rescue and restoration efforts. Their swift actions helped clear fallen trees and restore essential services in many areas, as noted by DD News on October 28, 2025.

• Human Toll and Varying Reports: While initial reports from officials cited two fatalities, including a woman in Konaseema district who died on October 28 after a palmyra tree fell on her, some later reports indicated three deaths. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) Managing Director Prakhar Jain confirmed one death and stated that validating other damage reports was ongoing, according to the Daily Pioneer on October 30, 2025.
• Extensive Agricultural Catastrophe: The scale of crop damage varied across initial assessments, with figures ranging from 43,000 hectares to 1.5 lakh acres (approximately 60,700 hectares). The Hindu reported 87,000 hectares inundated, affecting 78,796 farmers, with paddy, maize, cotton, and black gram being the most impacted crops. The total estimated monetary loss in agricultural production is approximately 682 crore Indian Rupees, as detailed by Serious Agricultural and Infrastructure Damage Reported on October 29, 2025.
• Significant Infrastructure Breakdown: Cyclone Montha severely damaged Andhra Pradesh's infrastructure, with the power sector alone incurring an estimated loss of around Rs 2,200 crore, as reported by Down To Earth on October 29, 2025. The Road and Building Department stated that approximately 1,632 km of roads were damaged, and power infrastructure in Kakinada was particularly affected by uprooted electric poles and trees.
• Proactive Disaster Management and Evacuations: The Andhra Pradesh government's proactive measures, including the evacuation of nearly 76,000 people to 1,906 relief camps, were crucial in minimizing loss of life, according to the Grand Pinnacle Tribune on October 30, 2025. Special arrangements were made for vulnerable groups, including 3,465 pregnant women, and 558 control rooms were activated to coordinate the response, DD News reported.
• Regional Impact and Storm Weakening: After making landfall, Cyclone Montha weakened into a deep depression, moving northwestwards towards south Chhattisgarh, as stated by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on October 30, 2025. While Odisha escaped major damage, Telangana experienced heavy rains, leading to waterlogging and disruptions, particularly in districts like Warangal, Jangaon, and Hyderabad, The Indian Express noted.
• Climate Change and Cyclone Intensity: Experts link the increasing frequency and intensity of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal to a 0.5°C–1°C rise in sea surface temperatures over the past 50 years, driven by global warming, La Niña, and Indian Ocean Dipole effects, according to Climate Change and its Impact on Tropical Cyclones over the Bay of Bengal on October 30, 2025. The Bay of Bengal accounts for approximately 75% of India's cyclones, making the region highly vulnerable.
• Economic Repercussions and Farmer Vulnerability: The substantial economic losses, particularly in agriculture and the power sector, pose significant challenges for recovery. Farmers, especially tenant farmers, often face difficulties in receiving compensation due to land ownership issues, a concern highlighted during previous cyclones like Michaung in December 2023, as reported by Cyclone Michaung flattens crops in Andhra Pradesh on December 7, 2023.
• Long-term Resilience and Future Preparedness: The recurring nature of such severe weather events underscores the need for enhanced long-term climate resilience strategies. This includes improved forecasting, better drainage infrastructure, and the adoption of climate-adaptive agricultural practices, as emphasized by Serious Agricultural and Infrastructure Damage Reported on October 29, 2025. Investment in nature-based solutions like mangrove forests is also critical for buffering against storm surges, according to Vision IAS on October 28, 2025.