Cyclone Montha to make landfall today, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh on alert

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclone Montha on the night of October 26, over the southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, as per data issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

As per IMD, turning into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of  October 28, it will further move north-northwestwards and cross the  Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada in the evening.

IMD alerted that the cyclone will have a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.

Dr M Mohapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department, told NDTV, "Andhra Pradesh will be the most affected, followed by Odisha and then Chhattisgarh. Heavy rainfall will continue in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu between October 28 and 30".

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said his government is taking all possible steps to prevent loss of life and property due to the storm.

He wrote on X: "We have prepared ministers, collectors, SPs and all the high officials to work in coordination with all the departments. We have made the necessary funds available to the districts... and appointed special officers."

He said: "I have instructed the officials to ensure that there is no disruption to electricity, drinking water and transport services. We are taking steps to prevent loss of life and property by sending information related to the intensity of rain and the impact of the cyclone directly to the people."

Naidu said he asked officials to shift the people of cyclone-hit areas to rehabilitation centres.

According to media reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Naidu over the phone and assured all possible assistance to the state.

The IMD has warned that Andhra Pradesh will experience extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places during October 27 -29.

Speaking on Odisha, the weather body said: "Light to moderate rainfall is very likely at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on 27th October. The rainfall activity would increase thereafter with light to moderate rainfall very likely at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall (>20 cm) at isolated places over south Odisha and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over north Odisha on 28th & 29th October. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Odisha on 30th October."