Cyclone Montha has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, posing a serious threat to the eastern coast of India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the cyclone is likely to make landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday night with wind speeds reaching up to 110 kmph. Heavy rainfall, high tides, and flooding have already affected coastal districts including Chittoor, Tirupati, and Kakinada, prompting mass evacuations and widespread disruption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured full central assistance as state authorities race against time to safeguard lives and property.
In Odisha, the government has issued a red alert for eight southern districts, including Malkangiri, Gajapati, and Ganjam, expecting torrential rains and gusty winds as the cyclone moves inland. More than 32,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas, and 1,445 cyclone shelters have been activated. Disaster response units from NDRF, ODRAF, and Fire Services are on standby for rescue operations. The state aims to maintain a “zero-casualty” record, emphasizing preparedness in vulnerable hilly regions prone to landslides.
The cyclone’s impact extends beyond Andhra and Odisha, with West Bengal and Tamil Nadu also experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds. Flight operations in Visakhapatnam and Chennai have been disrupted, and several train services have been cancelled or short-terminated due to flooding on tracks. As Cyclone Montha makes landfall, authorities across the eastern coast are bracing for widespread damage, with emergency control rooms and relief operations in full swing to mitigate the storm’s devastating effects.
