Fishermen from coastal Andhra Pradesh are facing severe financial crisis amid cyclones and frequent weather bans

Wreckage of fishing boats swept into backwaters near the confluence of the Godavari river with the sea at Odalarevu village in Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema October 28, 2026. | Photo credit: V. Raju

A series of low pressure systems, depressions and ‘severe’ cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ have plunged the marine fishing community of Andhra Pradesh into an unprecedented financial crisis. Frequent weather warnings and mandatory fishing bans issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) — after a depression crossed Kakinada on September 23 and after Cyclone Arnab made landfall near Yanam on October 28 — paralyzed maritime trade and disrupted local supply chains. With another storm looming over the Bay of Bengal threatening the coast, likely from November 2, stakeholders are bracing for further impact.

In Visakhapatnam district alone, thousands of families dependent on 750 mechanized trawlers and 1,890 motorboats and barges are facing mounting suffering.

Repeated bans in four major weather alerts since June have caused cumulative losses in excess of ₹36 crore. Fisherfolk leader Ajili Dasu noted that Cyclone Arnab alone caused a direct business loss of nearly ₹20 crore through the mandatory six-day ban. With adverse weather prevailing five to seven days each month, over 60% of the fleet remains at anchor.

In addition, the prohibitive prices of commercial varieties such as tuna, monkfish, pomfret, shrimp and crabs have compounded the hardships and crippled livelihoods for vendors, auctioneers, ice suppliers and shippers.

Claims for enhanced relief

Assessing the structural destruction, Joint Director of Fisheries LBS Vardhan confirmed initial direct losses of around ₹ 5 crore at the Visakhapatnam fishing port due to Cyclone Arnab. Preliminary surveys indicate that seven mechanized boats have sunk and 65 have suffered partial structural damage, with reports being relayed to rescue as per the standard norms of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

However, fisherfolk organizations submitted an official petition to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu demanding 100% financial compensation for damaged equipment and vessels affecting 3.32 lakh active sea fishermen across the state, along with a daily subsistence allowance of ₹600 per fisherman for seven days of forced inactivity.

The organization argues that the compensation should be in line with the expanded Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) provisions under GO Ms. No. 1 rather than the restrictive limits of the SDRF, ensuring strong support for the crisis-hit community.

GOMs.No. 1, issued on January 7, 2025, mandates increased disaster assistance for all future natural disasters funded through the CMRF. It increases death ex gratia to ₹5,000, house/car assistance to ₹10,000, livestock assistance to ₹50,000 and agriculture compensation up to ₹35,000/hectare.

Published – 31 Oct 2026 13:33 IST