Cyclone Montha Triggers High Alert in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha

Cyclone Montha Approaches

Due to the rapid intensification of Cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal, both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are on high alert. Evacuations are underway as the cyclone is expected to make landfall near Kakinada on Monday night, with winds reaching speeds of 110 kilometers per hour already causing heavy rainfall and strong winds in coastal areas.

Prime Minister's Assurance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Andhra Pradesh of all possible central assistance as the state grapples with high tides, flooding, and widespread disruptions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Montha was located approximately 280 kilometers south-southeast of Machilipatnam and 410 kilometers south of Visakhapatnam late Sunday night. It is anticipated to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam as a severe cyclonic storm by this evening or night.

Impact on Andhra Pradesh

Prakhar Jain, Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, reported on Monday that the cyclone has begun to make landfall and is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm. Coastal districts are experiencing rain and strong winds. Jain stated, "The cyclone has started to hit the coast, bringing rain along with strong winds." He noted that the cyclone has been moving at a speed of 18 kilometers per hour over the past six hours and was about 560 kilometers away from Visakhapatnam by evening, with expectations of it becoming a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning.

Preparedness Measures

Jain mentioned that the cyclone could make landfall near Kakinada as a severe cyclonic storm on the evening or night of October 28. He urged residents in coastal districts to remain vigilant and follow safety advisories. District Collector G. Lakshmisha informed that all departments are on high alert. "Multiple teams have been deployed and are coordinating efforts. We have prepared 180 rehabilitation centers and deployed 24 drones for continuous weather monitoring," he added.

Police Readiness

SV Rajasekhar Babu, the Police Commissioner of Vijayawada, stated that the police department is fully prepared for the cyclone, with officers stationed at every ward secretariat. He mentioned, "A control room is monitoring the situation, and 42 drones have been deployed for real-time assessments." As a precaution, residents of 360 homes are being evacuated.

Widespread Disruption

The impact of Cyclone Montha has led to heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds across several districts, disrupting normal life. In the Chittoor district's Nagari constituency, moderate to heavy rainfall has been recorded for four consecutive days due to the cyclone's effects. Flooding in the Kushasthali River has severed road connectivity, prompting authorities to halt traffic between Nagari town and rural areas like Thiruttani and Pallipattu. Police have been deployed to prevent people from approaching riverbanks due to dangerous currents and rising waters.

Evacuations and Safety Measures

Irrigation, revenue, and municipal officials have taken precautionary measures, including releasing 1,000 cusecs of water from the Krishna Puram reservoir. In Kakinada district, strong winds and heavy rainfall have caused high waves along the Uppada coast. Fishermen living along the coast have expressed concerns about the waves approaching the shore, increasing the risk of coastal erosion. District Collector S. Venkateswara reported that the district has a coastline of 75 kilometers, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in five coastal mandals.

Advice for Residents

He advised, "Control rooms have been established, and people are advised to stay indoors unless in emergencies." Residents have been cautioned against grazing livestock and standing under trees, electric poles, or hoardings. Pilgrims heading to Tirumala have been urged to temporarily postpone their travel plans.

Cyclone's Path and Preparedness

The weather department predicts that as the cyclone approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast and makes landfall near Kakinada, the intensity of rain and winds is expected to increase. The district administration has stated that they are fully prepared to handle any emergencies arising from the cyclone, with precautionary measures being continuously implemented.

Odisha's Preparedness

Although Cyclone Montha is set to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha is bracing for its widespread effects. The state government has issued a red alert for eight southern districts—Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Raigarh, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal—due to anticipated heavy rainfall and strong winds starting Tuesday.

Evacuation Efforts in Odisha

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, while overseeing the evacuation efforts, stated, "Our goal is to prevent any loss of life." The government has opened 1,445 cyclone shelters and prepared 140 rescue teams from NDRF, ODRAF, and fire services. Special attention is being given to the hilly areas of Gajapati district, where landslides are a concern.

Continued Evacuations

Pujari further mentioned that due to the expected intensification of the cyclone's impact over the next 48 hours, efforts are ongoing to evacuate 32,000 people from vulnerable low-lying areas.

West Bengal's Weather Warnings

The IMD has issued warnings for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in southern West Bengal starting Tuesday, particularly in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, and East and West Medinipur. Wind speeds could reach 80-90 km/h, prompting advisories against venturing into the sea.

Public Safety Measures

In South 24 Parganas, coastal police have begun public announcements urging fishermen to return by Monday evening. The district administration has opened control rooms and stockpiled relief materials.

Agricultural Precautions

As the cyclone moves inland, increased rainfall is expected in North Bengal starting October 29. The state's agriculture department has advised farmers to complete rice harvesting to mitigate crop losses.

Heavy Rainfall in Tamil Nadu

In the south, northern districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Ranipet, experienced heavy rainfall on Monday. The regional meteorological center reported that Montha is located approximately 480 kilometers east of Chennai in the Bay of Bengal.

Government's Preparedness

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited flood-affected areas to review drainage efforts. He stated, "The IMD has informed us that there will not be excessive rainfall in the next 10 days. If it does occur, our government is prepared."