The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, as Cyclone Montha intensifies into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, on the evening of Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

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⚠️ Current Situation and IMD Forecast

According to the IMD’s latest bulletin, Cyclone Montha was located approximately:

• 280 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam,
• 360 km south-southeast of Kakinada,
• 410 km south of Visakhapatnam, and
• 610 km south-southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha).

The system is moving north-northwestwards at 15 km/h and is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning.
At the time of reporting, the cyclone’s maximum sustained wind speed was around 80–90 km/h, gusting up to 100 km/h, and is expected to strengthen to 90–100 km/h, gusting up to 110 km/h, before landfall.

IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha, accompanied by lightning, thunder, and gusty winds from October 28–30.

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🌊 Sea Conditions: High Wave Alerts

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a warning about rough sea conditions along the Andhra Pradesh coastline, particularly from Nellore to Srikakulam, with wave heights between 2 and 4.7 metres expected between 5:30 pm and 11:30 pm on October 27.

Authorities have strictly prohibited fishermen from venturing into the sea, while coastal tourism and beach activities have been suspended in Vishakhapatnam, Kakinada, and nearby regions.

Ports have been instructed to hoist the Distant Warning Signal-II, signaling a developing storm condition.

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🏠 Evacuation and Disaster Preparedness

In anticipation of landfall, the Odisha government has placed eight southern districts under “red alert”, initiating large-scale evacuations from low-lying and coastal villages.

According to Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, the state has deployed 140 rescue teams, including personnel from:

• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
• Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF)
• Fire and Emergency Services

Similarly, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed district collectors to ensure zero casualties, with control rooms operating round-the-clock. Over 200,000 residents in vulnerable areas are being shifted to relief camps across East and West Godavari, Krishna, and Srikakulam districts.

The Centre has also deployed 22 NDRF teams across five states — Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh — for emergency response operations.

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🌧️ Likely Impact Zones and Weather Alerts

The IMD predicts widespread rainfall across the following areas:

• Andhra Pradesh: East & West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam
• Odisha: Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput districts
• Tamil Nadu & Puducherry: Light to moderate rain with isolated heavy rainfall
• Chhattisgarh: Isolated heavy spells likely as the storm weakens inland

Flooding, uprooting of trees, and disruption in road and rail transport are anticipated in affected districts.

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🌀 Cyclone Montha: Name and Origin

The name “Montha”, meaning a fragrant flower in Thai, was proposed by Thailand as part of the World Meteorological Organization’s naming system for tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean.

This is the sixth cyclone of the 2025 season in the Bay of Bengal and comes shortly after Cyclone Faniya, which struck the Myanmar coast earlier in September.

Meteorologists have noted that unusually warm sea surface temperatures (29–30°C) in the Bay of Bengal are fueling rapid intensification, a trend increasingly linked to climate change and El Niño conditions in the Pacific.

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🚨 Government Advisories and Safety Measures

• Residents in coastal and low-lying areas are advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
• Fishermen have been instructed not to venture into the sea until further notice.
• Power and communication lines are being reinforced in coastal belts.
• The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have deployed ships and aircraft for surveillance and emergency rescue.
• Relief materials, including food, tarpaulins, and first aid, have been pre-positioned in district warehouses.

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🗺️ Cyclone Montha Path Prediction

As per the latest IMD model projections:

• The cyclone will move north-northwestwards, crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada by late evening of October 28.
• Post landfall, it will gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm, moving towards southern Chhattisgarh and eastern Maharashtra by October 30.

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🌧️ Expected Timeline (October 27–30)

Date	Expected Impact	Areas
Oct 27 (Night)	High waves, rough seas	Nellore to Srikakulam (AP Coast)
Oct 28 (Morning–Evening)	Severe cyclonic storm, heavy rain	Machilipatnam–Kakinada belt
Oct 29	Rain, flooding, gusty winds	Odisha, North Andhra, Chhattisgarh
Oct 30	Weakening phase, scattered rainfall	Telangana, Vidarbha, Odisha plains

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🛰️ Monitoring and Forecasting Support

The IMD, INCOIS, and the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC), New Delhi, are providing real-time tracking using:

• INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR satellite imagery
• Ocean buoy data and Doppler Weather Radars
• Automated cyclone tracking models (GFS, ECMWF, and IMD-GEFS ensembles)

Officials have assured that hourly updates will be shared through All India Radio, Doordarshan, and local news networks.

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📰 Summary: Cyclone Montha — Key Points

• Landfall timing: Evening/night of October 28, near Kakinada
• Wind speed: 90–100 km/h, gusting to 110 km/h
• States on alert: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Chhattisgarh
• NDRF teams deployed: 22
• Villages likely affected: 1,419; towns: 44
• Sea waves: Up to 4.7 metres (INCOIS warning)
• Next update: IMD bulletin at 10:30 am IST, October 28

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh has concluded the trial proceedings in the high-profile case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her close associates, accused of crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 student movement. The tribunal is expected to announce its verdict on November 13, 2025, a date that could mark a historic turning point in Bangladesh’s political and judicial landscape.

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⚖️ Trial Proceedings Conclude; Verdict Date Set

According to reports by Dhaka Tribune and ANI, the ICT, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, wrapped up hearings on Thursday and confirmed that the verdict will be delivered on November 13. The tribunal has been investigating alleged human rights violations during the July–August 2024 student protests, which led to widespread unrest and eventually resulted in Hasina’s resignation and departure from Bangladesh.

The prosecution team, headed by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman, has demanded the death penalty for Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Prosecutors claim to have presented “conclusive and irrefutable evidence” linking the two to atrocities against protesters, including cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

The third accused, former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, has reportedly turned approver, admitting partial involvement and agreeing to cooperate with the investigation in exchange for leniency.

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🧑‍⚖️ Hasina’s Defence Rejects Allegations

Hasina’s state-appointed defence lawyer, Md Amir Hossain, has categorically denied all charges, claiming the case is politically motivated. He argued that the former prime minister did not flee Bangladesh but was forced to leave amid the violent student uprising that engulfed Dhaka in 2024.

The lawyer emphasized that Hasina’s exit by helicopter was public and documented, disputing government claims that she escaped secretly to evade arrest.

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🚨 Arrest Warrants and Previous Developments

Earlier, on October 8, 2025, the ICT issued arrest warrants for 30 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, in connection with two separate cases related to crimes against humanity and enforced disappearances during her tenure as prime minister under the Awami League government.

The tribunal directed law enforcement agencies to locate and present the accused in court by October 22. Hasina, who has been living abroad since August 2024, has not returned to Bangladesh since her ouster and faces multiple charges of human rights abuses, corruption, and abuse of power.

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🇧🇩 Background: The 2024 Student Uprising

The July–August 2024 student movement marked one of the most turbulent periods in Bangladesh’s recent history. Initially triggered by demands for educational reform and job quotas, the protests quickly escalated into a nationwide movement calling for Hasina’s resignation over allegations of authoritarian governance and police brutality.

The demonstrations led to hundreds of injuries and dozens of deaths, drawing international condemnation. Hasina’s government responded with a heavy-handed crackdown, which prosecutors now describe as “a campaign of systematic oppression.”

Following weeks of unrest and a loss of military backing, Sheikh Hasina resigned in August 2024 and reportedly left the country via helicopter amid widespread chaos.

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🌍 International Reactions and Human Rights Concerns

The ongoing trial has drawn global attention. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have urged Bangladesh’s judiciary to ensure a fair and transparent process, cautioning against politically influenced retribution.

Meanwhile, supporters of Hasina claim that the charges are part of a political vendetta orchestrated by her rivals to prevent her return to power.

Diplomatic observers also note that the verdict could significantly impact Bangladesh’s international relations, particularly with India, China, and Western allies, all of whom have been closely monitoring the proceedings.

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📅 What Happens Next

• The ICT will deliver its verdict on November 13, 2025.
• If convicted, Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal could face the death penalty.
• The tribunal’s ruling may trigger political upheaval, protests, and renewed calls for accountability.
• The Bangladesh government is reportedly preparing for heightened security measures in Dhaka and other major cities around the verdict date.

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📰 Summary

• Verdict Date: November 13, 2025
• Charges: Crimes against humanity during 2024 student uprising
• Accused: Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun
• Prosecution Demand: Death penalty for Hasina and Kamal
• Defence Claim: Hasina was forced to flee; charges are politically motivated
• Backdrop: Hasina’s fall amid 2024 student protests and regime change

With pollution levels rising ahead of Diwali, Delhi’s air quality has entered the ‘very poor’ category. Health experts urge citizens to wear masks and stay indoors, while the Delhi government explores artificial rain through cloud seeding to tackle pollution.

The air quality in the national capital continued to deteriorate on Friday, slipping further into the ‘very poor’ category at several monitoring stations across Delhi-NCR, just days before Diwali celebrations. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Akshardham stood at 369, while Anand Vihar recorded 363, both falling in the very poor bracket.

Meanwhile, Wazirabad registered an AQI of 293 (poor), ITI Jahangirpuri stood at 228, and Punjabi Bagh at 226. In nearby Ghaziabad, the situation was no better — Loni recorded a concerning 332 AQI, also in the very poor range.

On Thursday, Delhi’s overall AQI had remained in the ‘poor’ category, but localized spikes pushed certain zones to ‘very poor’ levels. Pollution levels are expected to rise further due to increased vehicular emissions, stagnant wind patterns, and the burning of firecrackers and stubble in neighboring states.

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AQI categories and their impact

As per CPCB standards:

• 0–50: Good
• 51–100: Satisfactory
• 101–200: Moderate
• 201–300: Poor
• 301–400: Very Poor
• 401–500: Severe

An AQI above 300 can lead to respiratory discomfort for most people and serious health effects for those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or heart disease.

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Experts advise caution

With pollution levels worsening, health experts have recommended that citizens wear N95 masks when outdoors, avoid early morning walks or runs, and use air purifiers indoors. Children, senior citizens, and pregnant women are advised to stay indoors as much as possible.

“Exposure to high AQI can cause throat irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath. Long-term exposure is even more dangerous as it increases the risk of chronic lung and heart diseases,” said Dr. Rajeev Gupta, pulmonologist at Safdarjung Hospital.

He added that residents should “keep windows closed during peak hours of smog, and increase intake of fluids and antioxidant-rich foods.”

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Delhi government considers artificial rain

In response to the worsening air quality, the Delhi government is exploring cloud seeding — a form of artificial rain — as an emergency pollution control measure. The operation, expected around a day after Diwali, depends on suitable weather conditions.

“When the Meteorological Department gives us the green signal, we will conduct a cloud-seeding trial. We are prepared and can initiate the process within hours once permission is granted,” said Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.

He confirmed that pilot training and aircraft trials have already been conducted successfully over the designated areas. “Our teams have completed four days of familiarization training. We’re ready to proceed as soon as cloud conditions are favorable,” Sirsa added.

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Why Delhi’s air worsens every October

Every year, post-monsoon weather patterns trap pollutants closer to the ground, creating a thick haze across northern India. In addition, stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and construction dust contribute to Delhi’s toxic air.

According to environmental experts, these factors combined with low wind speed and temperature inversion lead to poor air dispersion — turning the city into a gas chamber during October and November.

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Looking ahead

Authorities have already activated GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) measures, including restrictions on construction activities, diesel generators, and the use of older vehicles. However, experts believe long-term solutions require regional cooperation and public awareness rather than just emergency interventions.

For now, residents of Delhi-NCR are bracing for another smog-laden Diwali, hoping that government initiatives and favorable weather conditions may provide some relief in the coming days.