Over 10.3 lakh hectares of agricultural crop and more than 10,000 hectares of horticulture crops suffered damage in Andhra Pradesh due to Cyclone Phethai, as per the preliminary estimates made by Real Time Governance Society (RTGS). RTGS is the command centre in Amaravati which monitored the situation and sent quick updates to the respective authorities and departments.
Authorities estimate that 140 mandals in the state suffered agricultural damage. East and West Godavari were the worst-hit with the cyclone wreaking havoc in 30 mandals each in these districts.
In Krishna district, 24 mandals suffered heavy damage while in Guntur 23 mandals were affected.
According to authorities, the damage estimates are as follows: 11,711 hectares of rice, 7,025 hectares of maize, 2,296 hectares of dal, 1,221 hectares of tobacco, 566 hectares of sunflower and 394.8 hectares of sugarcane.
RGTS made a preliminary assessment that over 10,000 farmers suffered losses in horticulture and also estimated that the loss would be Rs 1,647 lakh.
Meanwhile, authorities also said that they had set up 878 health centres across Srikakulam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram. They also recorded 26 cases of diarrhea in Visakhapatnam.
RTGS also said that they have set up 533 relief centres across East Godavari, Krishna, Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram, West Godavari and Guntur districts, and served food for over 55,000 people.
As per its estimates, a total of 12,094 mobile towers were damaged in the state on Monday.
Cyclone Phethai made landfall on Monday near Katrenikona in East Godavari, affecting the coastal districts with heavy rainfall, following which train services and flights were cancelled, and power supply was also disrupted. However, the authorities swiftly restored the power and cleared the roads, as relief teams were put on standby equipped with earthmovers.