Cyclone Montha is set to make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday evening as a severe cyclonic storm with winds up to 110 kmph. Coastal districts experienced strong winds and heavy rainfall on Monday, prompting evacuations and high alerts across the region. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is overseeing preparations and has directed officials to ensure safety in vulnerable areas.
Cyclone Montha intensified over the Bay of Bengal, centred about 520 kilometres southeast of Chennai and moving northwest at over 18 kilometres per hour, according to the Cyclone Warning Centre at Visakhapatnam. The India Meteorological Department predicted it would cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada on Tuesday evening or night as a severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained winds of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph. A red alert was issued for 16 districts in Andhra Pradesh, while orange alerts covered Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, and Mulugu districts, and yellow alerts applied to other northeastern areas.
On Monday, heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds disrupted life in north coastal Andhra Pradesh districts. Authorities placed 23 districts on maximum alert, activating control rooms and deploying 11 National Disaster Response Force teams and 12 State Disaster Response Force teams, along with fire services, boats, life jackets, and medical camps in cyclone shelters. In Kakinada and Konaseema regions, nearly 10,000 people were evacuated to rehabilitation centres, including 126 pregnant women shifted to hospitals. Schools in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, and West Godavari districts were closed for two days.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation from the Real Time Governance Society centre in the state secretariat, instructing district collectors and police superintendents to shift residents from vulnerable coastal areas without delay. 'Precautions must be taken to prevent the pollution of drinking water,' he said, emphasising high-quality food and safe drinking water at centres. Naidu spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who assured full central support. He appealed to citizens to stay indoors and remain vigilant. Minister for disaster management Nara Lokesh coordinated inter-departmental responses, ensuring 24x7 control rooms and alerts via various networks.
Heavy rain alerts extended to Odisha, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, with evacuations in Odisha's eight southern districts under a red alert. East Coast Railway cancelled 32 trains, and South Central Railway advised limited travel between October 27 and 28. Fishermen were warned against venturing into the sea, with Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority director Prakhar Jain stating, 'The situation can change rapidly. Stay alert and follow safety advisories.'