Schools across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha closed due to Cyclone Montha; IMD issues red alerts and evacuation orders

The IMD estimates wind speeds of 90–100 kmph gusting up to 110 kmph, accompanied by heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Telangana.

Andhra Pradesh: Schools closed, coastal districts on high alert

The Andhra Pradesh government has declared holidays for schools and colleges across multiple districts, including Kakinada, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, Konaseema, and Visakhapatnam. The decision follows persistent rainfall and gusty winds affecting several coastal regions since Monday night.

District administrations have been instructed to monitor weather conditions closely and ensure student safety. In Konaseema district, a woman reportedly died after a tree was uprooted by strong winds and fell on her house. Continuous rainfall has been reported in Nellore, Machilipatnam, and Tuni, where authorities recorded between 5 mm and 15 mm of rainfall since Tuesday morning.

Local officials told PTI that “heavy rainfall is expected to continue for the next 12 hours, and monitoring teams are on alert across vulnerable urban and rural areas.” The state government has also pre-positioned emergency response teams and ensured fuel and food supplies in cyclone-prone regions.

Odisha: Schools, anganwadi centres shut; 140 rescue teams deployed

In Odisha, the government has ordered the closure of all schools and anganwadi centres in nine districts till October 30. These include Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal — the eight districts most likely to face heavy to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding.

The Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Department confirmed that over 1,400 cyclone shelters have been activated, housing people from low-lying and landslide-prone areas. The government has deployed 140 rescue teams comprising over 5,000 personnel from NDRF, ODRAF, and Fire Services.

Special Relief Commissioner D.K. Singh said all sea beaches have been sealed and that “fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till October 29.” East Coast Railway has announced train cancellations and diversions across the Waltair region, while the leave of all government employees in coastal districts has been cancelled until October 30.

Ports including Gopalpur, Paradip, Dhamra, Puri, and Chandbali have been placed under local cautionary signals (LC-III) or distant warning signals (DW-II). Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is expected to review the state’s preparedness later in the day.

Tamil Nadu: Heavy rain warnings and preventive school closures

While Tamil Nadu is not expected to face the cyclone’s direct landfall, the IMD has issued orange and yellow alerts for several coastal districts due to the peripheral impact of Montha. Heavy rain has been forecast across Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Thoothukudi districts through October 28.

In view of the forecast, district collectors in Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Thoothukudi have announced holiday for all schools on Tuesday. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea, while the Chennai Corporation has intensified stormwater drainage clearance and emergency response operations to prevent waterlogging.

The IMD stated that Montha — meaning a “fragrant flower” in Thai — currently lies about 100 km off Machilipatnam and 180 km off Kakinada, with Visakhapatnam about 270 km away from its eye. The system began as a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal on October 26 and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm by October 28 morning.