Coastal India is bracing for impact as Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha intensified over the Bay of Bengal, rapidly approaching the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Authorities are racing to complete mass evacuations, with the storm—packing winds up to 110 kmph—expected to make landfall near Kakinada later this evening or night.
The cyclone, which has been unleashing heavy rainfall and squally winds across the coastal belt since Monday, is currently centered about 190 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam and 340 km south of Visakhapatnam, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD forecasts the system will cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam within the next few hours.
In a move to ensure preparedness, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday assured Andhra Pradesh of all necessary central assistance as the state contends with high tides, localized flooding, and widespread disruption.
Andhra Pradesh on Red Alert: Coastal Damage and Evacuations
The Konaseema region of Andhra Pradesh is already bearing the brunt of the storm. Strong winds reaching 100 kmph are battering the confluence of the Vashishta Godavari and the Bay of Bengal near Bodasakurru. Towering waves have severely eroded sand dunes, inundated low-lying areas, and pushed seawater deep inland, with rising sea levels and backflow from the Godavari submerging coastal stretches.
Local authorities are urgently evacuating vulnerable villages and have sternly warned fishermen to remain ashore. The IMD specifically highlighted that landfall is expected near Antarvedi within hours, with winds likely to intensify further as Konaseema prepares for the full fury of the storm.
Port Warnings Escalated
The Cyclone Warning Centre in Visakhapatnam has raised the alert at Kakinada Port to Great Danger Signal No. 10, the highest warning level for a severe cyclone, reflecting the storm’s rapid advance. Other nearby ports have also been placed on high alert:
* Signal No. 9 was hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kalingapatnam, and Bheemunipatnam.
* Signal No. 8 was issued for Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam, Krishnapatnam, and Vadarevu.
Government Preparedness
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, along with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, reviewed the situation and issued urgent directives to officials. The Chief Minister ordered the use of drones to monitor inundated areas, a focused effort on flash-flood-prone zones, and the immediate deployment of rescue teams to low-lying villages in West Godavari.
Over 1.92 crore people were sent alerts, and essential supplies were pre-stocked. Officials have readied 2,703 generators for power recovery. The impact has already been severe on agriculture, with crops across 43,000 acres reported as submerged in various districts.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan urged officials to prioritize the quick restoration of transport networks, while Minister Nara Lokesh confirmed he is coordinating with district administrators. With red alerts in seven coastal districts, preventive measures have been implemented in 1,328 villages, and over 3,400 pregnant women have been safely evacuated.
Resources on Standby:
* Around 1,900 shelters and 325 medical camps are operational.
* 23 NDRF-SDRF teams are deployed, with additional Army assistance to be sought if needed.
* 11,000 electric poles and 772 restoration teams are on standby for power recovery.
* 14,798 schools have declared holidays, with 364 converted into temporary cyclone shelters.
Odisha Braces for Spillover Impact
While Montha’s official landfall is set for Andhra Pradesh, Odisha is also on high alert for its significant spillover effects. The state government has issued a red alert in eight southern districts—Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal—as heavy rain and gusty winds intensified across the region on Tuesday morning.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a high-level review meeting in Bhubaneswar to ensure a zero-casualty outcome through timely evacuation and effective disaster management. Over 11,000 people have already been moved, with efforts underway to evacuate another 30,000 if conditions deteriorate.
Odisha’s Deployment:
* 30 ODRAF teams and 123 Fire Services units are on the ground.
* 5 NDRF teams are deployed, and 2,048 shelters have been stocked with essentials.
* Tourism activities are suspended, and medical and restoration teams are on standby.
