Cyclone Montha has strengthened over the Bay of Bengal and is moving closer to the Andhra Pradesh coast. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm is expected to make landfall near Kakinada on October 28, prompting high alerts across Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Cyclone Montha Gains Strength Over Bay of Bengal
Formed late Saturday night over the central Bay of Bengal, Cyclone Montha was located about 850 km southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 680 km southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) as of early Monday.
The system is moving west-northwestwards at around 16 km/h, with forecasts indicating further intensification into a severe cyclonic storm before landfall.
Landfall Expected Near Kakinada on October 28
IMD predicts that the landfall process will begin by Tuesday evening and complete by late Tuesday night, between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, close to Kakinada.
During landfall, wind speeds may reach 90–100 km/h, with gusts up to 110 km/h, the IMD said.
Rough Seas and Strong Winds Begin Along Coast
Visuals from Kakinada show swelling waves, rough sea conditions, and intermittent rain as the cyclone approaches.
The IMD has warned of extremely rough sea conditions across north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south coastal Odisha, advising fishermen not to venture into the sea.
Heavy Rain and Flood Risk in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh
Moderate to heavy rain is expected over south Odisha and north coastal Andhra Pradesh from Monday night, with the intensity increasing through Tuesday.
Continuous rainfall could cause localized flooding, waterlogging, and storm surges in low-lying and urban areas.
As the system moves inland, rainfall will extend to interior Odisha, gradually weakening by Wednesday.
Disaster Response Teams on Full Alert
District administrations in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput have activated control rooms and positioned rescue and relief teams.
The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Fire Services are on standby for immediate deployment.
Authorities have set up temporary shelters and cyclone centers stocked with food, drinking water, and medical supplies. Coordination with the IMD, Indian Coast Guard, and East Coast Railway (ECoR) is ongoing to ensure real-time monitoring and a quick response.
