Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister urges farmers to stay alert as cyclone threat looms

Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister Kinjarapau Atchannaidu has urged farmers to stay alert as a deep depression over the South Andaman Sea is likely to intensify into a severe cyclone within the next 48 hours.

He cautioned that the system is moving west-northwest under highly favourable conditions in the Bay of Bengal and directed agricultural and district authorities to maintain high alert and take immediate precautionary steps.

At a review meeting with officials on Tuesday, the Minister said field-level agricultural officers must visit villages and advise farmers on measures to protect standing crops, harvested produce and livestock. He noted that those who have already completed paddy harvesting should shift their yield to safer locations without delay. The government is providing tarpaulin sheets free of cost, and district administrations have been instructed to supply them quickly to all eligible farmers to shield their produce from rain and strong winds.

He asked officials to issue continuous weather updates and intensify preparedness efforts across Rayalaseema and the entire North Coastal Andhra region, which is expected to experience significant impact from the cyclone. With agricultural operations under way across the State, he stressed that preventive measures are essential to avoid crop losses during this critical period.

With sea conditions worsening, the India Meteorological Department has warned fishermen not to venture into the waters, while those already at sea have been advised to return to the shore at once. Disaster management teams have been told to remain on standby and monitor developments closely. The Minister said all departments must work together to ensure that farmers and the general public face no inconvenience as the system approaches.