Cyclone Montha is intensifying over the Bay of Bengal, threatening Andhra Pradesh and Odisha with severe winds and heavy rain. The states are rushing evacuations ahead of the landfall expected later this evening.
Cyclone Montha intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal on Monday. Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are on high alert, rushing evacuations and preparing for landfall expected later tonight near Kakinada. The storm, packing winds of up to 110 kmph, has already unleashed heavy rain and squally winds across the coastal belt.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Montha was centred about 190 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam and 340 km south of Visakhapatnam on Monday morning. The system is expected to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam by this evening or night.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday assured Andhra Pradesh of all possible central assistance as the state battled high tides, flooding and widespread disruption.
ANDHRA PRADESH
The storm’s outer bands have already lashed several coastal districts, throwing normal life in Chittoor, Tirupati and Kakinada out of gear.
In Nagari constituency of Chittoor district, moderate to heavy rain has been pounding for four days. Floodwaters from the Kushasthali river cut off key roads, forcing authorities to halt traffic between Nagari town and rural areas such as Thiruttani and Pallipattu. Traffic has been diverted through alternative routes as police restricted access to riverbanks amid dangerous currents, reported news agency PTI.
Officials released 1,000 cusecs of water from the Krishnapuram reservoir as a precautionary step, while local administrations stayed on high alert.
In Kakinada district, strong winds battered the coast, with rough seas reported at Uppada. Waves advanced inland, aggravating coastal erosion and triggering panic among fishermen. Police evacuated families from Uppada, Subbampet, Mayapatnam and Suradapet as seawater surged further inland.
Tirupati’s top official said five coastal mandals spread over a 75-km coastline were likely to face intense rain and high winds. Disaster management teams have been deployed in full strength.
ODISHA
Although Montha will make landfall in Andhra, Odisha is bracing for its spillover impact. The state government has issued a red alert in eight southern districts — Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi and Kandhamal — anticipating heavy rain and gusty winds from Tuesday.
“Our target is zero casualty,” Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said while overseeing evacuations.
The government has opened 1,445 cyclone shelters and readied 140 rescue teams drawn from the NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Services. Special focus has been placed on hilly terrain in Gajapati district, where landslides are possible.
Pujari added that evacuation of 32,000 people from vulnerable low-lying areas was underway as the cyclone’s impact was expected to intensify over the next 48 hours.
WEST BENGAL
The IMD has warned of heavy rain and thunderstorms in southern West Bengal from Tuesday, particularly in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, and Purba and Pashchim Medinipurs. Wind speeds could touch 80-90 kmph, prompting advisories against venturing into the sea.
Coastal police in South 24 Parganas have begun public announcements, urging trawlers to return by Monday evening. District administrations have opened control rooms and stocked relief supplies.
North Bengal, meanwhile, is expected to receive increased rain from October 29 as the cyclone moves inland. The state agriculture department has advised farmers to complete paddy harvesting to minimise crop loss.
TAMIL NADU
Farther south, Tamil Nadu’s northern districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Ranipet were drenched by heavy showers on Monday. The Regional Meteorological Centre said Montha lay about 480 km east of Chennai in the Bay of Bengal.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited flood-prone areas and reviewed stormwater clearance efforts.
“The IMD has told us there will not be very heavy rain in the next 10 days. Even if it does, our government is ready,” he said.
