A severe cyclonic storm, Cyclone Montha, is set to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha coast late on Tuesday night, October 28, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The storm, currently moving northwestward over the Bay of Bengal, is packing wind speeds of 100–110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph. The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges of up to one metre in low-lying coastal areas.
Authorities in both states have placed disaster response teams on high alert and begun evacuating residents from vulnerable coastal and riverine regions.
In Andhra Pradesh, coastal districts including Kakinada, Konaseema, and Srikakulam are already witnessing squally winds and intermittent rainfall. The state government has urged fishermen to stay away from the sea and suspended fishing activities until conditions improve.
In Odisha, a red alert has been issued for Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput districts. Over 30,000 people have been moved to cyclone shelters, while schools in several districts remain closed.
Flight operations between Visakhapatnam and Chennai have been disrupted, and several train services in the coastal zone have been cancelled or rescheduled.
The IMD has advised people in the affected regions to remain indoors, avoid coastal areas, and follow official safety advisories as the storm approaches landfall.
