News in Frames: Many twists in the monsoon’s tale

Andhra Pradesh is witnessing two extremes this year: drought and deluge. During the initial monsoon months of June and July, the State declared drought in 388 of its 688 mandals across 28 districts. By the end of October, however, extremely heavy rainfall had battered many of these mandals, except those in Rayalaseema.

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 the coastal districts in ruins.

With wind speeds reaching 140 kmph during Arnab and 110 kmph during Murasu, the two cyclones are estimated to have caused damage worth approximately ₹6,500 crore. They also left at least 17 people dead, uprooted hundreds of electricity poles and damaged roads across the State. Arnab wreaked havoc in the twin Godavari districts of East and West Godavari and in the north coastal region, including Visakhapatnam.

The destruction was immense, with thousands of coconut trees uprooted and paddy, cotton and chilli crops flattened in West Godavari, East Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Bapatla, Guntur and Palnadu districts. Visakhapatnam, Eluru and East Godavari recorded extremely heavy rainfall of around 260 mm.

Coconut growers in the Godavari belt say it may at least take two years for them 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 every disaster.

A similar situation last occurred in 2013, when cyclones Helen and Lehar battered the Andhra Pradesh coast. Before that, the State witnessed similar events in 1987 and 1976.

Text by Nellore Sravani

Photo: KR DEEPAK

Against the wind: People brave strong winds and rain as high waves batter the shore in Visakhapatnam on October 27, ahead of Cyclone Arnab

Photo: KR DEEPAK

Waves of warning: Visitors to the beach watch high waves crashing along the Visakhapatnam coast on October 27

Photo: KR DEEPAK

Rough ride: A motorist navigates a storm-battered street at Mangamaripeta in Visakhapatnam on October 28, a day after Cyclone Arnab brought heavy rain.

Photo: V RAJU

Road to recovery: Disaster response personnel work to restore a stretch of road washed away by waves at Uppada coastal village in Kakinada district after Cyclone Arnab.

Photo: V RAJU

Grid down: Thousands of electric poles collapsed in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district after Cyclone Arnab made landfall near Bendamurlanka on October 28. More than 10,000 new poles are being installed across the district.

Photo: V RAJU

Picking up the pieces: A family tries to salvage its fishing nets after Cyclone Arnab devastated Odalarevu village in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. Some boats also had to be repaired.

Photo: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

Restoring power: Electricity workers from Bengaluru repair damaged power lines near the Old Bypass Road in Ongole, Prakasam district, on November 3, following Cyclone Murasu.

Photo: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

Sea in turmoil: Fishermen try to move their boats to safer spots along the Pallepalem coast near Kothapatnam as Cyclone Murasu nears the Andhra Pradesh coastline on November 2.

Photo: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

Before the storm: Fishermen carry boat engines and equipment to store under cover as the clouds gather over Pallepalem coast near Kothapatnam ahead of Cyclone Murasu.

Photo: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

Blown away: The damaged roof of a petrol bunk at Chadhalawada village in Prakasam district on November 3, after Cyclone Murasu brought strong winds and heavy rain.

Published - November 08, 2026 10:35 am IST