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🌪️ Cyclone Montha: Evacuations Underway as Andhra Pradesh, Odisha Brace for Landfall Today | Top Updates
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.
⚠️ 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.
🌊 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.
🏠 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.
🌧️ 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.
🌀 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.
🚨 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.
🗺️ 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.
🌧️ 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 |
🛰️ 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.
📰 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