Coastal Andhra Pradesh fisherfolk face severe financial crisis amid Cyclones and frequent weather bans

A series of low-pressure systems, depressions, and the “severe” cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ have plunged coastal Andhra Pradesh’s marine fishing community into an unprecedented financial crisis. Frequent weather warnings and compulsory fishing bans issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) — following a depression that crossed Kakinada on September 23 and Cyclone Arnab’s landfall near Yanam on October 28 — have paralysed maritime trade and disrupted local supply chains. With another storm brewing over the Bay of Bengal and threatening the coast, likely from November 2, stakeholders are bracing for further impact.

In Visakhapatnam Urban district alone, thousands of families depending on 750 mechanised trawlers and 1,890 motor and fibre boats face mounting distress.

Repeated bans across four major weather alerts since June have caused cumulative losses exceeding ₹36 crore. Fisherfolk leader Ajili Dasu noted that Cyclone Arnab alone caused a direct trade loss of nearly ₹20 crore through a mandatory six-day ban. With adverse weather prevailing for five to seven days every month, over 60% of the fleet remains anchored.

Furthermore, unremunerative prices for commercial varieties like tuna, seer, pomfret, prawns, and crabs have compounded the hardship, crippling livelihoods for vendors, auctioneers, ice suppliers, and transport operators.

Demands for Enhanced Relief

Assessing the structural destruction, Fisheries Department Joint Director L.B.S. Vardhan confirmed initial direct losses of around ₹5 crore at the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour due to Cyclone Arnab. Preliminary surveys indicate seven mechanised boats sank and 65 suffered partial structural damage, with reports being forwarded for relief under standard State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms.

However, fisherfolk organisations have submitted a formal petition to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu demanding 100% financial compensation for damaged gear and craft affecting 3.32 lakh active marine fishermen State-wide, alongside a daily subsistence allowance of ₹600 per fisherman for seven days of forced idleness.

Organisations argue that compensation should align with expanded Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) provisions under G.O. Ms. No. 1 rather than restrictive SDRF limits, ensuring robust support for the crisis-hit community.

The G.O.Ms.No. 1, issued on January 7, 2025, mandates enhanced disaster relief for all future natural calamities funded via CMRF. It increases ex gratia for deaths to ₹5 lakh, house/auto relief to ₹10,000, livestock aid to ₹50,000, and agriculture compensation up to ₹35,000/hectare.