Cyclone Montha Strengthens Ahead Of Andhra Landfall Tonight, Evacuations Underway

Cyclone Montha has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, threatening Andhra Pradesh and Odisha with destructive winds and heavy rainfall, reported India Today.

Authorities in both states are racing to complete evacuations before the storm makes landfall near Kakinada later tonight.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Montha was centred about 190 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam and 340 km south of Visakhapatnam on Monday morning (27 October). The cyclone, with wind speeds reaching 110 kmph, is expected to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam by this evening or night.

Strong winds and rain have disrupted life across Chittoor, Tirupati, and Kakinada districts. Flooding from the Kushasthali river cut off key roads in Chittoor, while authorities released 1,000 cusecs of water from the Krishnapuram reservoir as a precaution. Coastal areas such as Uppada and Suradapet saw waves surge inland, forcing police to evacuate several fishing families.

Odisha has issued a red alert in eight southern districts, including Malkangiri, Koraput, and Ganjam. “Our target is zero casualty,” said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, adding that 32,000 residents were being moved to safety.

West Bengal and Tamil Nadu also face spillover effects, with heavy rain expected in coastal districts. Flight operations in Visakhapatnam and Chennai have been disrupted, and several train services curtailed due to worsening weather conditions.

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