Cyclone Montha, developing over the Bay of Bengal, has now intensified into a dangerous storm. Its impact has already begun to appear in Chennai, where torrential rainfall has been recorded. According to forecasts, the cyclone will make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. During landfall, wind speeds are expected to reach 90–110 km per hour.
More than 6,000 residents, including 428 pregnant women, are being evacuated from 34 coastal villages in Kakinada and Konaseema districts of Andhra Pradesh. Schools in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, and West Godavari will remain closed on October 27–28 as a precautionary measure.
In Odisha, eight southern districts, including Malkangiri and Koraput, have been placed in the red zone, with cyclone shelters set up for emergency relief. NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed, government employees’ leaves have been canceled, and water is being released from reservoirs to prevent overflow.
The cyclone is expected to pass between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada. It could potentially affect seven states — Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh. All 30 districts of Odisha have been placed on alert, while the highest risk zones in Andhra Pradesh include Kakinada, Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, and SPSR Nellore. Parts of Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet in Tamil Nadu are also likely to experience significant impact.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of high sea waves and the risk of coastal flooding. A red alert has been issued for Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, forecasting very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on October 28–29. Nine districts in Andhra Pradesh are under red alert, while orange alerts are in effect for parts of Tamil Nadu and Odisha. Heavy rain is also expected in West Bengal, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh.
Wind speeds may reach up to 110 km per hour, posing risks of uprooted trees and flooding. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until October 29.
