Cyclone Mountha unleashed its fury across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Monday, leaving a path of destruction that has claimed three lives and caused extensive damage to property and agriculture in multiple districts.
Human Toll and Rescue Operations
Tragedy struck in Andhra Pradesh's Prakasam district, where two individuals lost their lives when a massive tree uprooted by the powerful winds fell on their auto-rickshaw. The third victim, a woman from Telangana's Khammam district, died after a wall collapsed on her amid the relentless rainfall and howling winds.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly through challenging conditions to evacuate approximately 50 people from low-lying areas in Bapatla district, demonstrating remarkable bravery in the face of nature's wrath.
Widespread Infrastructure Damage
The cyclonic storm left a significant mark on public infrastructure across both states:
- Electricity supply severely disrupted in over 100 villages
- Numerous roads damaged or completely washed away
- Multiple trees and electricity poles uprooted by powerful winds
- Several buildings and structures suffered partial or complete collapse
Agricultural Sector Bears the Brunt
Farmers in the region faced devastating losses as Cyclone Mountha:
- Flattened standing crops across thousands of acres
- Damaged horticultural crops including bananas and vegetables
- Destroyed numerous cattle sheds and agricultural structures
Meteorological Updates and Forecast
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Mountha made landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam, packing wind speeds reaching 90 kmph. The weather system has since weakened into a depression but continues to bring:
- Heavy to very heavy rainfall across coastal Andhra Pradesh
- Strong surface winds affecting Telangana and surrounding regions
- Continued weather warnings for several districts
Authorities in both states have issued alerts and are closely monitoring the situation as relief and restoration efforts gain momentum across the affected regions.
