Andhra Pradesh was hit by drought and two back-to-back cyclones
ANDndhrapradesh is witnessing two extremes this year: drought and floods. During the initial monsoon months of June and July, the state declared drought in 388 of its 688 mandals in 28 districts. However, by the end of October, many of these mandals, except those in Rayalaseema, were lashed by extremely heavy rains.
Between October 28 and November 3, Andhra Pradesh was hit by two back-to-back cyclones – very severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ and severe cyclonic storm ‘Murasu’, leaving coastal areas in ruins.
With wind speeds reaching 140 km/h during Arnab and 110 km/h during Murasu, the two cyclones are estimated to have caused damage worth around ₹ 6,500 crore. They also left at least 17 dead, uprooted hundreds of power poles and damaged roads across the state. Arnab wreaked havoc in the two Godavari districts of East and West Godavari and the northern coastal region, including Visakhapatnam.
The destruction was immense, with thousands of coconut palms uprooted and paddy, cotton and chilli crops razed to the ground in the districts of West Godavari, East Godavari, Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema, Bapatla, Guntur and Palnadu. Visakhapatnam, Eluru and East Godavari recorded extremely heavy rainfall of around 260 mm.
Coconut farmers in the Godavari belt say it may take at least two years to recover the losses. While experts debate whether climate change played a role in these weather events, farmers and fishermen continue to bear the brunt of each disaster.
A similar situation occurred last time in 2013 when cyclones Helen and Lehar lashed the coast of Andhra Pradesh. Earlier, the state witnessed similar events in 1987 and 1976.
Lyrics by Nellore Sravani
Photo: IN PARADISE
Road to recovery: Disaster response workers work to restore a stretch of road washed away by waves in the coastal village of Uppada in Kakinada district after Cyclone Arnab
Photo: KR DEEPAK
Against the wind: People brave strong winds and rain as high waves batter the coast in Visakhapatnam on October 27 ahead of Cyclone Arnab.
Photo: KR DEEPAK
Waves warning: Beachgoers watch high waves crash along the Visakhapatnam coast on October 27.
Photo: KR DEEPAK
Rough ride: A motorist drives through a storm-damaged street in Mangamaripeta, Visakhapatnam, on October 28, a day after Cyclone Arnab brought heavy rain.
Photo: IN PARADISE
Grid down: Thousands of electric poles collapsed in Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema after Cyclone Arnab made landfall near Bendamurlanka on October 28. More than 10,000 new poles are being installed across the district.
Photo: IN PARADISE
Picking up the pieces: A family struggles to save their fishing nets after Cyclone Arnab devastated Odalareva village in Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema. Some ships also had to be repaired.
Photo: KOMMURI SRINIVAS
Power restoration: Bengaluru electricians repair damaged power lines near the old bypass road in Ongola, Prakasam district on November 3 after Cyclone Murasu.
Photo: KOMMURI SRINIVAS
Sea in turmoil: Fishermen try to move their boats to safer places along the Pallepalem coast near Kothapatnam as Cyclone Murasu approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast on November 2.
Photo: KOMMURI SRINIVAS
Ahead of the storm: Fishermen carry boat engines and equipment to store under cover as clouds gather over Pallepale coast near Kothapatnam ahead of Cyclone Murasu.
Photo: KOMMURI SRINIVAS
Blown away: Damaged roof of a petrol tank in Chadhalawada village of Prakasam district on November 3 after Cyclone Murasu brought strong winds and heavy rain.
Published – 8 Nov 2026 10:35 AM IST