Cyclone Montha makes landfall; Andhra, Odisha bore the brunt

Heavy rain with gale is lashing Vijayawada city on Wednesday morning and a number of trees uprooted and many roads were inundated as severe cyclonic storm Montha crossed Andhra Pradesh coast near Narasapur in West Godavari district, south of Kakinada overnight, IMD said on Wednesday.

After crossing the coast, the weather system moved northwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph during the past six hours to weaken into a cyclonic storm, India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin issued at 5 am said.

A 70-foot-tall Jagaddhatri Puja pandal in Kanailal Pally in Chandannagar, in Hooghly district collapsed Sunday, injuring at least seven people, as thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain lashed the region under the influence of severe cyclonic storm Montha, officials said.

The administration and local police rushed for rescue operations.

State Minister Indranil Sen also visited the site.

“The incident prima facie took place due to strong wind. Seven were injured. However, everyone is safe,” said Chandannagar Police Commissioner Amit P Javalgi. Police said a case has been lodged against the organisers and probe ordered.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow warning for several south and north Bengal districts for Wednesday due to the impact of cyclone Montha in the state.

Light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at many places in south Bengal, with heavy downpours (7–11 cm) in South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram.

In addition, thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph and lightning are expected over Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Bankura, and North 24 Parganas districts.

Cyclone Montha crossed the coast off Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday evening, causing disruptions in the southern state, while the impact was also felt in neighbouring Odisha, where normal life was affected in 15 districts.

A woman died at Makanagudem village in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh as a palmyra tree fell on her due to gales, a police official told PTI.

Severe Cyclonic storm Montha on Tuesday crossed the coast off Andhra Pradesh, causing disruptions in the southern state, while the impact was also felt in neighbouring Odisha, where normal life was affected in 15 districts.

The landfall process started around 7 pm, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, adding that the weather system in the Bay of Bengal will cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada.--PTI

The cyclone is expected to impact 403 mandals across 22 districts, prompting the state government to set up 488 control rooms at the mandal level. Nearly 76,000 people have been shifted to relief camps, and 219 medical camps have been set up at various locations, according to the Andhra Pradesh CMO.

To ensure uninterrupted emergency communication, 81 wireless towers and 21 large lamps have been installed. The government has also kept 1,447 earthmovers, 321 drones, and 1,040 chainsaws ready to clear uprooted trees. As part of preparedness measures, 3.6 crore alert messages have been disseminated to residents across the state. The government has also arranged 865 tonnes of animal fodder.

Standing crops spread over 38,000 hectares and horticulture crops in 1.38 lakh hectares were destroyed in Andhra Pradesh due to the impact of the severe cyclonic storm 'Montha', the CMO said on Tuesday.

The cyclone, which is expected to make landfall south of Kakinada tonight, has affected large parts of the state.

"Due to the impact of the cyclone, heavy rains across the state destroyed standing crops in 38,000 hectares and horticulture crops in 1.38 lakh hectares," said a press release from the chief minister's office, citing preliminary estimates.--PTI

The landfall process of severe cyclonic storm (SCS) Montha has begun off the Andhra Pradesh coast and it will continue for the next three to four hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Telangana, South Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

In light of the development, state governments have taken precautionary measures, evacuating coastal settlements and beaches and setting up helpline numbers.

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A storm surge of height about 1 metre above astronomical tide is likely to cause inundation over low-lying areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam (of Puducherry) around Cyclone Montha's landfall time, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The districts concerned are East Godavari, Yanam and Visakhapatnam.

According to a private agency monitoring the system, the cyclone is likely to cross the coast south of Visakhapatnam between 11 pm and 1 am.

According to a private agency monitoring the system, Cyclone Montha is likely to cross the coast south of Visakhapatnam between 11 pm and 1 am.

In view of the Cyclone ‘Montha’ at least 61 trains were cancelled to ensure the utmost safety of passengers.

Total Trains Cancelled: 61

• 4 Trains on 27.10.2025

• 48 Trains on 28.10.2025

• 8 Trains on 29.10.2025

• 1 Train on 30.10.2025

Some of the important Trains cancelled:

• 07166, Bhubaneswar New-Hyderabad Spl, on dt.29.10.2025

• 17479, Puri-Tirupati on dt.30.10.2025

• 18464, Bengaluru-Bhubaneswar, Prashanti on dt.29.10.2025

Trains Short-Terminated/Short-Originated: 9

Trains Diverted: 6

Trains Rescheduled: 9

Railway officials are closely monitoring the evolving weather conditions in coordination with IMD and Disaster Management authorities. Field teams have been deployed for round-the-clock inspection of tracks, signaling systems, and overhead power lines to ensure quick restoration post-cyclone.

Dr. M. Mohapatra, the director general of Meteorology at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), in a briefing notified that several states in East and Peninsular India will experience heavy rainfall till the end of October.

Rainfall in Andhra Pradesh and Yanam

Heavy to very heavy rainfall will take place at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall will lash isolated places across Andhra Pradesh till October 29 (Wednesday).

The intensity will gradually decrease as heavy rainfall is expected to continue at isolated places over north coastal Andhra Pradesh on October 30.

Rainfall in Odisha

South Odisha will experience heacy to very heacy rainfall at a few placesand extremely heacy rainfall at isolated places.

North Odisha will be hit by heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places till October 29.

Other states

Telangana will exprience heavy to very heavy rain till October 29.

Chhattisgarh will experience heavy to very heavy rains, which will gradually decrease on October 30.

Gangetic West Bengal will experience heavy rainfall at isolated places till October 31, while Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim will face isolated heavy rain October 30 and heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 31.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'cyclone warning' for Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and South Odisha coast.

Dr. M. Mohapatra, the director general of Meteorology at IMD, in a briefing said Central and North Andhra Pradesh will experience highest cyclonic wind speeds, in the range of 92-117 kmph.

South Odisha, South Chhatisgarh and parts of East Telangana will face wind speed of 60-70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph, from evening till the early hours of October 29.

Dr. M. Mohapatra, the director general of Meteorology at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), in a briefing said 'severe' Cyclone Montha will hit Kakinada district and cross the Andhra Pradesh coastline between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam during the evening.

Thereafter, it will move north-northwestwards across North Andhra Pradesh, South Odisha and South Chhattisgarh and gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm by early morning of Wednesday (October 29) and into a depression by noon of the same day.

Visuals of peninsular India bracing for landfall of Cyclone Montha.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel warn residents of Cyclone Montha, in Yanam, in Andhra Pradesh. (AP Photo)

A motorist drives past boulders recently installed along the coastline to protect against high tides during Cyclone Montha, in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh. (AP Photo)

Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) workers prepare food for the needy at the centralised corporation kitchen as part of emergency relief efforts in view of Cyclone 'Montha', in Chennai. (PTI Photo)

Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh at Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) centre to monitor the intensity of Cyclone 'Montha'. (PTI Photo)

Evacuated villagers of Uppada village collect food to eat in a temporary relief centre as Cyclone Montha, in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh. (AP Photo)

Security personnel urge visitors not to venture too deep into the sea in view of Cyclone 'Montha', at a beach in Puri, Odisha. (PTI Photo)

In its hourly update on 'severe' Cyclone Montha, The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said lay about 70 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 150 km south-southeast of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh at 2.30 pm.

According to IMD data, maximum sustained wind speeds are in the 90-100 kmph range, gusting to 110 kmph.

"The SCS Montha moved north-northwestwards and at 1430 hrs IST of 28th Oct, it lay about 70 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 150km south-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 250 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 480 km south-southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha)," IMD wrote on X.

"To cross Andhra Pradesh coast around Kakinada during evening/night of today, 28th October as SCS with maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph," the department added.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that extremely heavy rainfall has been recorded in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, while heavy rainfall took place isolated spots across several regions in peninsular India.

Extremely heavy rainfall (≥ 21cm) has been recorded at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam. Heavy rainfall (7- 11 cm) has been recorded at isolated places over Rayalaseema, Kerala & Mahe, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, Madhya Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu," IMD wrote on X.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the railway's preparedness for Cyclone Montha, directing the ministry to take precautionary measures, and asked three zones to mobilise resources for emergency response.

"The minister has asked East Coast, South Coast and South Central zones to mobilise resources for emergency response and take necessary precautions," a senior railway official said.

An official note said that the railway minister discussed the key action points such as activation of divisional war rooms, readying essential materials, machinery, and manpower, especially in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Guntur divisions, along with monitoring train operations to minimise passenger inconvenience.

'Orange' alert: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places in Odisha's Nawarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhmal, Nayagarh, Khordha, and Puri districts, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast.

Surface wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, is very likely to occur at one or two places of Ganjam, Kandhamal, Boudh, Bolangir, Nuapada districts.

'Yellow' alert: Heavy rainfall is also very likely to occur at one or two places in the districts of Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Nuapada, Bolangir, Sonepur, Boudh, and Bargarh.

Surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Jajpur, Cuttack, Khurda, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal, Angul, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Bargarh.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall, along with thunderstorm is very likely to occur at most places over the districts of Odisha, the India Meterological Department (IMD) stated in its forecast.

The IMD has issued 'red' alert for several districts across Odisha:

Scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places in the districts of Malakangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajpati, Ganjam.

Surface wind speed reaching 60-70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph, is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi, Nawarangpur.

The Met Department issued a storm warning for ports in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday with Cyclone 'Montha' moving towards Andhra Pradesh, news agency PTI reported.

"We have informed port authorities in Chennai, Ennore and Kattupalli to hoist Local Warning signal No 4," Regional Meteorology Centre (RMC) Director B Amudha told PTI.

She also said a distant warning of signal No 2 was issued to Cuddalore and Nagapattinam ports as well as Puducherry and Karaikal ports.

"The warning is issued when there is a cyclone in the sea and gusty winds are likely to be experienced by the port. It is a warning for ships and ports so that they take precautionary measures against sudden winds and prevent damage," said the director. (PTI)

All 32 flights operating out of the Visakhapatnam Airport were cancelled on Tuesday owing to the severe cyclonic storm 'Montha', an official told news agency PTI.

Visakhapatnam Airport Director N Purushottam said two Air India Express flights were cancelled on October 27. "Actually, we are operating 30 to 32 movements (flights) daily, domestic as well as international. Today, all those flights are cancelled," Purushottam told PTI.

He said the airport has taken precautions to shield it from the severe cyclonic storm as per the Airports Authority of India (AAI) guidelines, covering pre-cyclone and post-cyclone phases.

Similarly, Vijayawada Airport too cancelled 16 flights today, but managed to operate five flights. "Yesterday (Monday) there was only one flight cancellation to Vizag. But today, 16 flights were cancelled to various destinations, including Delhi, Mumbai, across the country," said Vijayawada Airport Director Lakshmikanth Reddy.

According to Reddy, the airlines have taken a decision to suspend operations for today, adding that clarity could emerge by evening about tomorrow's flight operations, PTI quoted.

Similarly, four flights were cancelled in Tirupati Airport. (PTI)

Severe cyclonic storm 'Montha' is set to bring heavy rainfall in several districts of West Bengal till October 31, the India Meteorlogical Department (IMD) announced on Tuesday.

The Met office advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the West Bengal coast till Thursday, news agency PTI reported.

The weather system is likely to bring heavy rainfall in the south Bengal districts of North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum and Murshidabad between Tuesday and Friday, the Met office declared.

A few places in the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar are likely to get very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) on Friday, the Met added.

It will also bring heavy rainfall (7 to 12 cm) in all districts of north Bengal on Thursday and Friday, including Malda, Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur, the IMD said.

The Met forecast said that thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kmph are likely to occur in Kolkata and adjoining districts of Howrah and Hooghly till Friday. (PTI)

More than 6,000 well-trained and skilled personnel of NDRF (5 teams), ODRAF (30 teams) and Fire Service (123 teams) have already taken position in different districts of Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said, PTI reported.

The state has also kept more such rescue teams on standby for any emergency situation, he added.

The CM said the tourists are denied entry to destinations like Deomali and Mahendragiri hills, and restrictions are imposed on visit of people to different sea beaches across the coastline, PTI quoted.

He said the schools and anganwadi centres are closed in nine districts till October 30 in the wake of the cyclone situation. (PTI)

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday said his government was well prepared to face the challenges posed by cyclone 'Montha' and has opened over 2,000 disaster relief centres in eight southern districts for people likely to be impacted by the severe cyclonic storm, news agency PTI reported.

He said 11,396 people have shifted to 2,048 disaster relief centres opened by the state government, in view of the approaching cyclone.

Majhi announced this after reviewing the preparedness of the state government at a high-level meeting attended by Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, DGP Y B Khurania and other senior officials.

The CM said that the state government has taken all precautionary measures to achieve its goal of "Zero Casualty". (PTI)

Sharing an update over X, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the Severe Cyclonic Storm “Montha” over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph in the past 6 hours and lay centered at 11:30 am on Tuesday.

The storm currently lies about 120 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam ( in Andhra Pradesh), 200 km south-southeast of Kakinada (in Andhra Pradesh), 290 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam (in Andhra Pradesh) and 410 km south-southwest of Gopalpur (in Odisha), according to the post.

The Severe Cyclonic Storm 90-100 kmph is gusting to 110 kmph.

It will continue to move north-northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada by evening/night of Tuesday, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph, the IMD stated.

Owing to the impact of cyclone Montha, around 10,000 people have been moved to hundreds of relief camps set up in schools and government offices across several districts in Andhra Pradesh.

Officials have opened 242 medical camps, and 283 ambulances have been kept on standby. Debris clearance teams and machinery have also been pre‑deployed at vulnerable stretches.

Eleven NDRF and 12 SDRF teams have been positioned for rescue, evacuation and flood response.

Fire Services, swimmers, OBM boats, life jackets, and emergency equipment were placed across coastal zones.

Community kitchens have been activated in several cyclone shelters to ensure hot meals and care for children, the elderly, and vulnerable families.

Here are some updates by our colleague Sreenivas Janyala from Andhra.

Severe cyclonic storm Montha will bring heavy rainfall in several districts of West Bengal till October 31, the IMD said on Tuesday.

Montha, which is currently situated over westcentral Bay of Bengal and is moving in the north-northwestward direction, is likely to make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a special bulletin.

The Met office advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the West Bengal coast till Thursday.

Several districts of Andhra Pradesh have seen strong winds and heavy rain on Tuesday morning as Cyclone Montha approaches the coast.

Before the cyclone makes landfall, which is likely to take place on Tuesday night, officials have traced 3,361 pregnant women whose expected delivery date is less than seven days away and who live in areas projected to be hit by the cyclone, and moved them to hospitals.

A red alert has been issued for the districts of Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema, Krishna, West Godavari, and Vizianagaram, after they were pounded on Tuesday morning by heavy rain, along with wind speeds of up to 80 km per hour.

The Met Department issued a storm warning for ports in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday with Cyclone 'Montha' moving towards Andhra Pradesh.

"We have informed port authorities in Chennai, Ennore and Kattupalli to hoist Local Warning signal No 4," said Regional Meteorology Centre (RMC) Director B Amudha.

She also said a distant warning of signal No 2 was issued to Cuddalore and Nagapattinam ports as well as Puducherry and Karaikal ports.

"The warning is issued when there is a cyclone in the sea and gusty winds are likely to be experienced by the port. It is a warning for ships and ports so that they take precautionary measures against sudden winds and prevent damage," said the director.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has positioned 45 teams of rescuers for undertaking relief and rescue operations in view of cyclone Montha that is largely going to batter coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha apart from bringing heavy rains to Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu.

Out of these, 25 teams have been pre-deployed in various states while the rest have been kept as backup, the federal contingency force said on Tuesday morning.

Ten teams have been deployed in Andhra Pradesh, six in Odisha, three each in Tamil Nadu and Telangana, two in Chhattisgarh and one in Puducherry, it said.

With Cyclone Montha forming over the central Bay of Bengal, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has pre-deployed 25 teams across likely affected coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry. Another 20 teams have been kept on standby for immediate deployment if required, officials said.

The IMD on Tuesday forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Jharkhand till October 31 under the impact of a cyclone over the Bay of Bengal.

Cyclonic storm 'Montha' intensified into a severe cyclonic storm by 5.30 am on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department said in a bulletin. The Thai word 'Montha' means fragrant flower.

The weather system lay centred 190 km south to southeast of Machilipatnam, 270 km south to southeast of Kakinada and 340 km south to southeast of Vizag – in Andhra Pradesh – at 5.30 am.

“It is likely to continue to move north-northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the evening and night of Tuesday as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph and gusting to 110 kmph,” the bulletin said.

Issuing a warning for Jharkhand, the weatherman said parts of Simdega, West Singhbhum, Khunti and Gumla are likely to receive heavy rain on Tuesday followed by very heavy rainfall in parts of Chatra, Garhwa, Latehar and Palamu on Wednesday.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the impact of Cyclone 'Montha' will be intense from Tuesday morning with 3,778 villages likely to receive heavy rains. The cyclone Montha intensified into a severe cyclonic storm around 5.30 am on Tuesday, said the Meteorological Department. "The impact of Montha will be severe from Tuesday morning. According to officials, 338 mandals and 3,778 villages have been forecast to receive heavy rainfall," said Naidu in an official release late on Monday.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh witnessed heavy rain and strong winds on Monday as Cyclone Montha advanced towards landfall, triggering alerts and precautionary measures across the region.

In view of the imminent Cyclone Montha and to ensure passenger safety, the South Central Railway on Monday issued a bulletin announcing partial cancellation, rescheduling, and restoration of several train services. Passengers have been advised to verify train status before travel.

As Cyclone Montha is set to make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday evening, several coastal districts in the State and southern Odisha, towards where the cyclone will move after the landfall, received heavy rain this morning.

Odisha's Ganjam district witnessed rough seas, strong winds and rainfall, while rain lashed in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada due to the impact of the cyclone.

Tamil Nadu's Chennai city also received rainfall this morning. As per IMD, moderate rain with light thunderstorm and lightning is very likely to occur at a few places over Chengalpattu, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Kanniyakumari, Ranipet, Tenkasi, Thiruvallur, Thoothukkudi, Tirunelveli, Tirupathur, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Viluppuram, Virudhunagar in next 3 hours.

The Odisha government geared up evacuation of people from vulnerable places amid inclement weather in eight southern districts where a "red alert" has been sounded, as the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal on Monday intensified into cyclonic storm 'Montha' and rolling towards east coast at a speed of 15 kmph, officials said.

The state government, which had earlier deployed 128 rescue teams from NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Service, further augmented it to 140 teams keeping in view of the requirement, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said after reviewing the situation in the evening.

He said 3,000 people and 1,496 pregnant women were shifted to the safer places by 5 PM of Monday ahead of the cyclone hitting the neighouring Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakidana on Tuesday evening or night.

With Cyclone intensifying over the Bay of Bengal, the East Coast Railway on Monday announced the cancellation of several train services as a precautionary measure. Passengers have been advised to check the status of their trains before travelling and follow official updates for safety information.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the Meteorological Department on Monday forecast high sea waves along the Andhra Pradesh coast from Nellore to Srikakulam, ranging between 2 and 4.7 metres as cyclone 'Montha' is set to intensify into a cyclonic storm on October 28 morning.

According to a joint bulletin from both the agencies, the high waves are expected for six hours, between 5:30 pm and 11:30 today.

“High waves in the range of two to 4.7 metres are forecast during 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm of October 27 off the coast of Andhra Pradesh from Nellore to Srikakulam.” The cyclonic storm 'Montha', which means a fragrant flower in Thai language, was centered over westcentral and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal at 5.30 pm, moving northwest at 15 km per hour during the past six hours.

Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed Kerala on Monday, leading to two deaths and prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for six districts.

A fisherman died after his boat capsized near the Arthunkal coast and a man from West Bengal died after being struck by lightning at Mukanoor near Angamaly.

IMD has issued orange alerts in Kozhikode, Kasaragod, Kannur, Idukki, Thrissur, and Ernakulam districts, indicating the possibility of rainfall of 115.6 mm to 204 mm over the next 24 hours.

Earlier on Monday, in light of the cyclonic storm Montha, the IMD had issued a warning that Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mahe, and coastal Karnataka will experience very heavy rain (115 – 210 mm in 24 hours) till Tuesday.

As Cyclone Montha gained strength after making landfall, nearly 50,000 people have been moved to relief camps, Reuters reported quoting government data.

The government expects 3.9 million people to be affected in the low-lying areas of Andhra Pradesh where disaster management teams have evacuated residents.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has expressed deep concern for citizens of Andhra Pradesh and the other states yet to be hit by the Cyclone Montha.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Montha will intensify into a 'severe' cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28.

Nadda, who has been the national president of the BJP since 2020, notified on X that he has directed all party units to "remain on high alert and actively engage in preparedness, relief and assistance measures with utmost dedication."

Four districts of northern Tamil Nadu, including the state capital, received heavy rainfall on Monday even as cyclonic storm 'Montha' is currently located in the Bay of Bengal, about 480 km east of Chennai, the Regional Meteorological Centre said.

“Cyclone Montha is expected to move north-north westerly and cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada district in Andhra Pradesh as a severe cyclonic storm on the evening or the night of October 28,” Director of Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) B Amudha said.--PTI

The Andhra Pradesh agriculture department on Monday directed district-level field staff to identify vulnerable villages along the cyclone path and alert farmers on crop protection measures.

'Montha', expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, has begun lashing coastal districts with rain and strong winds.

Special Chief Secretary (Agriculture) B Rajasekhar held a teleconference with the heads of the agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and agricultural marketing departments, conveying Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's instructions issued during a review meeting at the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS).

"Officials must personally meet farmers in cyclone-affected zones, provide crop protection advisories, and ensure proactive measures to reduce losses," Rajasekhar said in a press release. --PTI

NTR district Collector G Lakshmisha told news agency PTI that all departments were on high alert owing to the cyclonic storm.

"Several teams have been deployed and are working in coordination. We have kept 180 rehabilitation centres ready, along with 24 drones for continuous weather monitoring," he said.

Vijayawada Police Commissioner S V Rajasekhar Babu said the police department was fully geared up for the cyclone, with officers deployed across each ward secretariat.

A control room is monitoring the situation, and 42 drones have been deployed for real-time assessment," he said, adding that residents of 360 houses were being evacuated as a precaution.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured central assistance to the state to deal with cyclone 'Montha', which is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday morning.

The Chief Minister said that PM Modi called him earlier in the day to enquire about the intensity of the cyclone and the precautionary measures being taken.--PTI

The landfall of Cyclone Montha, which is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, has begun, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) Managing Director Prakhar Jain said on Monday.

Coastal districts are experiencing rain and strong gales, he added.

"Cyclone has begun. Coastal districts are witnessing rainfall accompanied by gales," Jain said in a release, adding that the system will intensify further as it approaches land.

According to him, the weather system moved at a speed of 18 km per hour in the past six hours.--PTI

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to take precautionary measures in places where there is scope for rains and floods in light of cyclone Montha, which is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to CM Naidu over the phone and enquired about the cyclone, following which IT Minister Nara Lokesh has been asked to coordinate with the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The CM held a review meeting with officials over the cyclone at Real Time Governance System (RTGS).

"The CM ordered advance action in places where rains and floods are likely. He told officials to strengthen the banks of canals to prevent crop loss," an official release said.

Naidu instructed officials to monitor the movement of the cyclone on an hourly basis.--PTI

A cyclone warning signal installed as a precautionary measure against Cyclone 'Montha', in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. (PTI Photo)

As per the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), heavy to very heavy rains will occur in seven districts -- Kakinada, Konaseema, West Godavari, Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, and Nellore districts on Monday.

Cyclone Montha is likely to bring heavy rain in several districts across West Bengal from Tuesday to Friday, the IMD said.

The weather system, situated over the Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a special bulletin.

The Met advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the West Bengal coast till Thursday.

It warned of the possibility of landslides in the hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts and waterlogging in low-lying areas in the plains.

While light to moderate rain is expected over many places in south Bengal, heavy rain is likely to occur over North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum and Murshidabad districts between Tuesday and Friday, it said.

Severe cyclonic storm Montha, which has intensified over the southwest-central Bay of Bengal, is moving at a speed of 18 kmph, and is currently centred 520 km from Chennai, 570 km from Kakinada, and 600 km from Visakhapatnam, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has said.

On Monday morning, Kakinada and other coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh witnessed rainfall ahead of the cyclone’s arrival.

Moving west-northwestwards, Cyclone Montha is likely to further intensify by Tuesday morning and cross the coast of Andhra Pradesh near Kakinada by Tuesday night with strong winds of 90-110 kmph.

The state government has deployed nine State Disaster Response Force and seven National Disaster Response Force teams in several districts for potential relief operations. Pregnant women and senior citizens living in coastal villages have been moved to camps inland on priority.

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In 2000, a group of nations called WMO/ESCAP (World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific), which comprised Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand, decided to start naming cyclones in the region on a rotational basis. After each country sent in suggestions, the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) finalised the list.

The WMO/ESCAP expanded to include five more countries in 2018 — Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The list of 169 cyclone names released by IMD in April 2020 were provided by these countries — 13 suggestions from each of the 13 countries.

Apart from helping the general public, naming cyclones helps the scientific community, the media, disaster managers etc. With a name, it is easy to identify individual cyclones, create awareness of its development, rapidly disseminate warnings to increase community preparedness. There are some conventions too, in that the name should be neutral to politics and political figures, religious beliefs, and cultures.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong surface winds are expected in Chennai and three other districts on Monday, while cyclonic storm Montha is expected to lay centred at around 2.30 pm at about 600 km east-southeast of Chennai, weather officials said.

B Amudha, Director, Regional Meteorological Centre, said apart from Chennai, heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected in Ranipet, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram and heavy rainfall is expected in Villupuram and Chengalpattu.

Puducherry will also receive heavy rainfall, Amudha said.

As for Cyclone Montha, it is likely to continue to move west-northwestwards over the southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal during the next 12 hours, she added.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said hat Cyclone Montha has been moving northwestwards over the Bay of Bengal at a speed of 15 kmph in the past six hours on Monday, positioning itself over the southwest and adjoining southeast parts of the sea by 5:30 am IST.

The Odisha government has started evacuating people from vulnerable places and deployed 128 disaster response teams in eight southern districts of the state as the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal on Monday intensified into a cyclonic storm named 'Montha'.

Keeping in view the formation of cyclone 'Montha', the state government has started the evacuation of people from vulnerable hilly and low-lying areas of eight southern districts, which could be impacted due to the impending calamity, Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari said.

"The state government is well prepared to face the eventuality, and arrangements have been made in the possible impact areas. The administration will complete the process of evacuation of people from vulnerable places by 5 pm on Monday," the minister said. Though the cyclone will cross the Andhra Pradesh Coast, it will have an impact on Odisha's southern and coastal regions, for which the state government has made all arrangements to save men and animals with a goal of 'zero casualty', Pujari said.

The minister said that 'red warning' (take action), predicting extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds (gusting up to 80 kmph), was issued for Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal and Kalahandi districts. PTI

Heavy rainfall is expected over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts in the next 24 hours as the depression formed in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression on Sunday and moving at a speed of 10 km per hour, the Regional Meteorological Centre said.

It is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a ‘cyclonic storm’ over the southwest and adjoining west central Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours, a bulletin by the Centre said.

The system is further expected to intensify into a ‘severe’ cyclonic storm by October 28 and very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada on October 28, it said.

“The depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal moved nearly west-north westwards with a speed of 10 km per hour, intensified into a Deep Depression today, October 26, and lay centered about 610 km west of Port Blair, 790 km east-south east of Chennai, 850 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 840 km south east of Kakinada and 950 km south east of Gopalpur (Odisha)” the bulletin said. (PTI)

Heavy rain, squally weather, and rough sea conditions are expected to prevail along India’s east coast between Odisha and Tamil Nadu for the next two days owing to the approaching cyclone, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said.

Once intensified, the storm will be called Cyclone Montha, and it will be the first cyclone likely to make landfall over the Indian landmass this year. Earlier this month, Cyclone Shakti developed off the Gujarat coast in the Arabian Sea, but it moved away from the Indian coast.

Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mahe, and coastal Karnataka will experience very heavy rain (115 – 210 mm in 24 hours) till Tuesday. Heavy rain is forecast over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and south Odisha till October 30.

According to the latest satellite imagery and other weather updates on Saturday, the deep depression was present over the Southeast Bay of Bengal. The IMD said on Saturday that the system was located at about 620 km west of Port Blair, 780 km east-southeast of Chennai, 830 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 830 km southeast of Kakinada, and 930 km south-southeast of Gopalpur.

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