HudHud Was Most Devastating Cyclone for AP in 50 Years

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh has been hit by 61 cyclonic storms from 1970 to 2025, but the worst was the 1977 cyclone, when a seven-metre-high storm surge that hit Divisema killed at least 10,000 people. The most devastating event of this century was HudHud, which left a trail of destruction in Visakhapatnam on October 12, 2014.

In the incident that caused the death of 40 people, all the greenery in the city, which is said to be one of the greenest areas in the country, was destroyed. The system also plunged the city into darkness for over a week, and normalcy was restored after Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu personally camped in the city for a week and supervised the restoration.

The most recent cyclone, Montha, forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 people in Kakinada and Kinaseema hours before the system crossed the coast near Kakinada.

Cyclone Michaung (2023) crossed the coast near Bapatla with wind speeds reaching 90 to 100 kilometers per hour. It caused heavy rainfall, damaging infrastructure and flooding many nearby counties.

Hurricanes by year:

Mandous (2022) affected the coastal regions of the state, bringing heavy rain to most areas.

Asani (2022) described a deep depression weakening the land near Machilipatnam, causing heavy rains and damage to crops.

Nivar (2020) made a second landfall as a deep depression on the AP coast, causing heavy rainfall, floods and damage to crops.

Pithai (2018) made landfall as a weakened system at Katrenikona in East Godavari. It led to evacuations, power outages and transportation systems.

Titli (2018) made landfall near Palasa in Srikakulam district as a very severe cyclonic storm. It caused extensive damage to crops in Srikakulam district.

Phani (2013) hit the coasts of Odisha and AP with high-speed winds, damaging houses and infrastructure. Extensive evacuation helped minimize loss of life.

Nilam (2012) made landfall in Tamil Nadu but heavy rains and strong winds affected Nellore and Chittoor districts.

Laila (2010) crossed the AP coast near Bapatla, causing heavy rain, power outages and transportation disruption.

Ogni (2006) crossed the coast between Ongole and Machilipatnam.

Khaimuk (2006) washed up on the beach near Kavali.