When data became the first responder

A.Ndhra Pradesh displayed a new level of maturity in disaster management as it dealt with Cyclone Montha, which hit the coast of the state between October 27 and 30. Learning lessons from the past, Andhra Pradesh responded with precision, guided by data, technology and teamwork.

The coordinated and technology-driven response demonstrated how governance can transform from reactive assistance to proactive resilience. Rather than waiting for disaster to strike, Andhra Pradesh anticipated it; pre-positioned resources, kept transformers ready, and provided uninterrupted road access for rescue and restoration.

Traditional paperwork and panic-driven coordination have been replaced by digital dashboards, predictive analytics, drone surveillance and GIS tools. Through the Andhra Pradesh Weather Forecasting and Early Warning Research Center (AWARE 2.0) and the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS), the government has established a vibrant, interconnected decision system that connects departments from Police and Revenue to Health and Panchayat Raj. The RTGS-led Data Lake project aims to integrate all departmental data to improve efficiency, enable services such as digital document storage and strengthen analytics-based decision-making.

AWARE 2.0’s predictions turned out to be extremely accurate; It estimated wind speeds between 80 km/h and 100 km/h, close to the actual recorded speed of 87 km/h. The system activated 72-hour early warnings and facilitated the evacuation of approximately 10,000 people from high-impact areas in Kakinada and Konaseema. More than 1.1 crore safety messages were sent to citizens, while more than 12,000 complaints were tracked and resolved in real-time through the Manamitra citizen engagement platform. Generators, pumps and heavy machinery were pre-positioned, allowing immediate intervention. Energy utilities also assigned transformer repair teams in advance; digital inventory systems, on the other hand, tracked resource allocation to eliminate duplication and ensure smaller pegs were not overlooked.

National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force teams have been pre-deployed along the coastal belt. Critical equipment, from communications kits to high-capacity pumps, were placed in sensitive areas. Main roads were kept open for emergencies. Digital inventory management has allowed the government to keep track of where every machine, transformer and vehicle is located.

Now that that’s over, officials and experts agree that Cyclone Montha should not remain a one-off victory but serve as a blueprint for institutionalized resilience. Although technology is indispensable, it alone cannot guarantee security. True resilience requires that preparation become a daily practice. Schools and community buildings should be renovated as hurricane shelters; coastal areas fortified with mangroves and embankments; and budgets need to allocate funds for underground power cables, flood-proof levees and real-time sea level monitoring.

Andhra Pradesh now has a strong operational plan, but maintaining it requires consistent investment and policy continuity. The private sector also has a role in integrating disaster resilience into Environmental, Social and Governance commitments through insurance coverage, climate-resilient infrastructure and corporate participation in local disaster planning.

Odisha’s long-term transformation provides a reference. Since the devastation caused by the 1999 super cyclone, the State has developed a community-based preparedness model. Andhra Pradesh can emulate this model by strengthening panchayats, centralizing disaster budgets and embedding climate literacy at administrative levels.

While ‘zero loss’ targets rightly focus on saving lives, financial planning must also prioritize long-term infrastructure resilience. Disaster mitigation funds should be directed to strengthening energy grids, communications networks, and transportation corridors to withstand high-speed winds and saltwater corrosion.

Cyclone Montha also revealed broader ecological dimensions of vulnerability. Deforestation, mangrove loss, and unregulated coastal construction have eroded natural defenses. Sustainable coastal planning and ecosystem restoration must therefore complement technological innovation.