The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday said that Cyclone Montha is rapidly intensifying over the Bay of Bengal, prompting alerts for the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coasts.
According to the IMD’s latest update, the weather system is currently located around 970 km southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 890 km from Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh). It is expected to evolve into a deep depression today and further intensify into a cyclonic storm by Monday.
Forecast: Cyclone to Become Severe by October 28
The IMD forecast indicates that Cyclone Montha will likely turn into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28, moving northwestward over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
The system is expected to make landfall between Kakinada and Machilipatnam, near Kalingapatnam, between the evening and midnight of October 28.
At landfall, wind speeds may reach 90–100 kmph, with gusts up to 110 kmph. The storm is expected to cause damage to kutcha houses, electric poles, and trees across vulnerable coastal regions.
Authorities on Alert in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh
Both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh governments have placed coastal districts on high alert. Disaster management teams are being mobilized, and evacuation plans are in place for low-lying areas prone to flooding.
The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea, warning that sea conditions will become very rough over the central and northern Bay of Bengal in the coming days.
IMD Issues Red and Orange Alerts
An IMD scientist, Dharam Raju, stated that Montha is expected to intensify further and cross the Machilipatnam–Kakinada–Kalingapatnam coastal belt as a strong cyclonic storm.
“The system will intensify into a cyclonic storm on October 27, and into a severe cyclonic storm thereafter. The entire East Coast, especially fishermen, must stay out of the sea due to strong winds and heavy rainfall,” Raju said.
The IMD has already issued red and orange alerts for heavy rainfall across several districts in Odisha, including Ganjam, Puri, and Kendrapara, as well as parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Precautionary Measures and Safety Advisory
Local administrations are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). People in coastal areas have been urged to:
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Stay indoors during heavy rain and high winds.
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Avoid coastal and low-lying regions.
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Follow official advisories and updates from the IMD and local authorities.
With Cyclone Montha intensifying and expected to hit India’s east coast soon, both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are preparing for strong winds, heavy rainfall, and possible disruptions.
The IMD continues to monitor the cyclone’s path and urges residents to remain cautious and follow safety protocols.
