Cyclone Montha Intensifies Over Bay of Bengal, Andhra and Odisha Brace for Impact
Visakhapatnam/Kakinada:
Cyclone Montha has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, threatening the coastal states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha with torrential rain and gale-force winds. Both states are on high alert, rushing evacuation and relief measures ahead of its landfall, expected near Kakinada later this evening.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone was centred around 190 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam and 340 km south of Visakhapatnam on Monday morning. The system is moving northwestwards and is likely to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam by late evening or night, packing winds of up to 110 kmph.
Andhra Pradesh: Heavy Rains Lash Coastal Districts
The storm’s outer bands have already brought widespread rain to several parts of Andhra Pradesh, disrupting normal life in Chittoor, Tirupati, and Kakinada districts.
In Nagari constituency of Chittoor, moderate to heavy rain has continued for four consecutive days, inundating several low-lying areas. Rising water levels in the Kushasthali river have cut off key roads, forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement between Nagari town and nearby villages such as Thiruttani and Pallipattu. Police have also restricted access to riverbanks due to strong currents, while officials released 1,000 cusecs of water from the Krishnapuram reservoir as a precautionary step.
Along the Kakinada coast, strong winds and high tides battered the shoreline, causing severe coastal erosion at Uppada. Families from low-lying villages including Subbampet, Mayapatnam, and Suradapet were evacuated as waves surged inland.
District authorities said all cyclone shelters were activated, and fishermen were advised to stay ashore.
In Tirupati district, officials identified five coastal mandals likely to face heavy rain and wind gusts. Disaster response teams have been stationed across vulnerable areas.
Odisha: State Targets ‘Zero Casualty’
Though the cyclone’s landfall is expected in Andhra, Odisha is bracing for its spillover effects. The state government has declared a red alert in eight southern districts — Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal — predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds starting Monday night.
“Our target is zero casualty,” said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who reviewed the state’s preparedness.
Odisha has activated 1,445 cyclone shelters and mobilised 140 rescue teams comprising personnel from the NDRF, ODRAF, and Fire Services.
Over 32,000 residents from vulnerable coastal and low-lying zones have been evacuated. Officials are also monitoring hilly regions of Gajapati district, where landslides are likely if rainfall intensifies.
West Bengal: Heavy Rain Forecast, Fishermen Warned
The IMD has issued a heavy rainfall warning for southern West Bengal districts from Tuesday, including Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, and Purba and Paschim Medinipurs.
Wind speeds could reach 80–90 kmph, with coastal police urging fishermen to return to shore by Monday evening.
District administrations have opened control rooms and stocked relief materials, while the state agriculture department has advised farmers to complete paddy harvesting early to prevent crop losses.
Northern Bengal districts such as Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar are likely to experience increased rainfall from October 29 as the storm moves inland.
Tamil Nadu: Heavy Rains in Northern Districts
Further south, Tamil Nadu’s northern districts — including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Ranipet — witnessed intermittent heavy rain on Monday as Montha churned over the Bay of Bengal, about 480 km east of Chennai.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin reviewed flood-prone areas and stormwater drainage systems, assuring the public that the state is fully prepared.
“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.
Transport Disruptions: Flights and Trains Affected
Air travel and rail services have been hit across eastern India due to the approaching storm.
At least six flights between Visakhapatnam and Chennai were cancelled on Monday. IndiGo Airlines, in a post on X, advised passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport due to “prevailing cyclone conditions and heavy rainfall around Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Rajahmundry.”
Several train services were also cancelled or short-terminated. The Howrah–Jagdalpur Samaleswari Express will now end its journey at Rayagada, while the Hirakhand Express and Intercity Express will operate only between Rayagada and Bhubaneswar/Rourkela, skipping the Jagdalpur section.
Authorities on Alert
Disaster management authorities across Andhra, Odisha, and West Bengal have been instructed to remain on 24-hour alert, with NDRF teams deployed in vulnerable regions and fishermen banned from venturing into the sea.
The IMD has cautioned of storm surges, coastal flooding, and possible power disruptions as Cyclone Montha makes landfall tonight.
