Cyclone Montha Intensifies: Landfall Expected Tonight in Andhra Pradesh
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued urgent warnings as Cyclone Montha rapidly intensifies over the Bay of Bengal. The storm is set to make landfall tonight between Machilipatnam and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, bringing destructive winds of 90-100 kmph and heavy rainfall. Neighboring states Odisha and Tamil Nadu are also on high alert for extreme weather.
Cyclone Montha’s Path and Expected Impact
Currently positioned 300 km southeast of Visakhapatnam, Cyclone Montha is moving northwest at 12 kmph. The IMD has classified it as a severe cyclonic storm, predicting:
– Coastal Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam, East & West Godavari): Storm surges, 100+ kmph winds, flooding.
– Odisha (Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur): Orange alert for isolated heavy rainfall (20+ cm).
– Tamil Nadu (Chennai, Cuddalore, Villupuram): Intense showers over 48 hours.
Fishermen are warned to stay ashore, and ports are on alert.
Emergency Preparedness: Evacuations and Relief Measures
Andhra Pradesh:
– 50,000+ evacuated from coastal villages.
– NDRF teams deployed; CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy emphasizes “zero casualty” efforts.
Odisha:
– Cyclone shelters activated; lessons applied from Cyclone Fani (2019).
– OSDMA monitoring flood-prone zones.
Tamil Nadu:
– Disaster response teams on standby in Chennai and delta districts.
Residents: How to Stay Safe
- ✔ Avoid travel; stock essentials (water, medicines).
- ✔ Follow IMD/state government advisories.
- ✔ Steer clear of beaches and rivers.
Live Updates and Long-Term Risks
The IMD will provide real-time updates. Post-cyclone risks include crop damage, power outages, and infrastructure repairs. Bookmark this page for live coverage.
