Naidu’s Disaster Management: More Hype Than Preparedness
Chandrababu Naidu’s record in disaster management stands exposed as a troubling mix of negligence, delay, and PR-driven governance. Despite his tall claims of technology-based administration, critical failures during major calamities led to large-scale loss of life, livelihood, and property.
1996 Konaseema Cyclone: A Tragedy of Government Failure
When Naidu was Chief Minister, the 1996 Konaseema cyclone devastated coastal Andhra due to poor preparedness and failed warning systems.
Key damage and casualties
- 1,077 confirmed deaths; hundreds more unaccounted, mostly fishermen
- 1,000 fishermen missing, many later confirmed dead
- 6,47,554 houses damaged; 10,000 completely destroyed
- 2.25 lakh families displaced
- 2,41,802 hectares of crops submerged
- Rs. 6,129.25 crore economic loss
- Millions of coconut trees uprooted, livestock wiped out
- Roads, power, and communication collapsed
The World Bank later underlined the massive economic impact, worsened by the government’s lack of readiness.
Preparedness Failures
- Very few cyclone shelters are along the coast
- Warning systems failed to reach remote fishing villages
- 90% boats in the affected villages were destroyed, causing a huge loss of life
History repeated: Vijayawada budameru floods
The recent Budameru floods reflected the same negligence:
- 6 lakh people displaced
- 47+ deaths
- Rs. 6,882 crore loss
- IMD warnings ignored
- Floodgates allegedly manipulated to safeguard the CM’s residence, flooding the city instead
Thousands of affected families are still waiting for compensation.
YS Jagan Govt vs Naidu Govt: Relief delivery speaks for itself
While Naidu took years, and often avoided paying at all, YS Jagan’s administration made immediate compensation a norm.
| Issue | Chandrababu Era | YS Jagan Era |
| Disaster response | Delayed & insufficient | Fast & structured |
| Crop loss relief | Paid after 1–2 years (often denied) | Paid within the same season |
| Insurance | Scrapped free crop insurance | Entirely government-funded free crop insurance |
| Compensation system | Bureaucratic delays | Real-time field enumeration |
Technology Claims vs Ground Reality
Naidu boasted of advanced tech-based disaster management, but:
- No new systems were established in his 16-month coalition tenure
- People mocked media hype around his “tech model”
- During Vijayawada floods, govt used YS Jagan’s ration vehicles for relief
- Naidu, who previously mocked village/ward secretariats, was forced to rely on them during cyclone alerts
Even Naidu acknowledged the secretariat system’s success, yet still attempted to claim credit.
YS Jagan’s Governance Model: Fast, Structured, Grounded-Focused
Under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy:
- Alerts and relief coordinated through Secretariat system
- Real-time crop loss enumeration
- Input subsidy credited within 2 months of the disaster
- Free crop insurance paid directly without farmer contribution
Major relief examples:
- 2020 rains → relief in same season
- Nivar cyclone → relief next month
- Mandoos cyclone → relief within 60 days
- Titli pending dues cleared with Rs. 182 crore
Total support (2019–24)
- 22.22 lakh farmers benefited
- 30.86 lakh acres compensated
- Rs. 1,911.81 crore paid as input subsidy
- Rs. 6,684.84 crore paid under YSR Free Crop Insurance
- Additional Rs. 34,288 crore through Rythu Bharosa
Naidu’s unpaid dues: almost Rs. 6,000 Crore
During TDP’s previous term, the government failed to pay:
- Input subsidy: Rs. 2,558.07 Cr
- Seed subsidy: Rs. 282.71 Cr
- Zero-interest loan benefit: Rs. 1,180.66 Cr
- Crop insurance: Rs. 715.84 Cr
- Farmer suicide ex gratia: Rs. 23.70 Cr
- Farm mechanization: Rs. 221.07 Cr
- Paddy procurement dues: Rs. 960 Cr
- Total unpaid farmer dues: Rs. 5,942.05 Cr
Plus Rs. 8,845 Cr agricultural power dues left to the next government. Even now, the coalition govt has skipped subsidies for four consecutive seasons (2024 Kharif, Rabi & 2025 Kharif, Rabi).
- Naidu’s rule: Negligence, PR, delayed relief, unpaid dues
- YS Jagan’s rule: Rapid relief, institutional systems, farmer-first governance, real results
In disasters, there is no space for hype; only execution, compassion, and accountability matter. And by every measure, YS Jagan’s governance model stands as the benchmark.
