. Andhra Pradesh is exposed to cyclones, storm surges, floods and droughts. A moderate to severe intensity cyclone can be expected to make landfall every two to three years.
Cyclones
Along the Andhra coast, the section between Nizampatnam and Machilipatnam is the most prone to storm surges. Vulnerability to storm surges is not uniform along Indian coasts.
Some of the factors responsible for vulnerability of the state to cyclone are:
- Almost half of the storms in the Bay of Bengal become severe cyclones often accompanied by storm surges.
- Low lying areas along the coast are vulnerable to extensive flooding and deep inland sea water incursion.
- High concentration of population, infrastructure and economic activities along the coast.
Draught
Drought Prone Districts: Chittoor, Kadapa, Anantapur& Kurnool, Mahabubnagar, Medak, Rnagareddy and Nalgonda 20 times drought in 40 years, 10 times drought in 20 years. 5 times drought in 10 years, 3 times drought in last 5 years Major Drought Years (1997, 2001, 2002 & 2004). 2002-03 has been the worst year of drought State GDP severely affected due to recurring drought.
Tsunami
Andhra Pradesh with coastline of 1,030 K.Ms, is the second largest in the country next only to Gujarat State and the longest on the East Coast of India. The total coastal area spreads over 92,906 Sq. KMs. in nine coastal districts which have population of 2.87 Crores. On the morning of 26.12.2004 Tsunami tidal waves ranging from 2 to 6 metres high lashed the Andhra Pradesh coast. The major brunt of the tidal waves was along the coast of Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, East Godavari, and West Godavari Districts.