Cyclone Montha Expected to Make Landfall in Andhra Pradesh

A severe cyclonic storm named Cyclone Montha is rapidly approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, with landfall expected tonight near Kakinada. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Montha has intensified into a “severe cyclonic storm” over the west-central Bay of Bengal, moving north-northwest at around 15 kmph. The system is forecast to bring wind speeds up to 110 kmph, accompanied by torrential rains, storm surges, and widespread flooding across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana.

🔴 IMD Red Alert: Heavy Rains and Coastal Warnings

The IMD has issued red alerts for:

• North Coastal Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram)

• Southern Odisha (Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada)

• Northern Telangana districts
  These regions are expected to experience extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) within 24 hours.

IMD Statement (9:23 am):
“Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Montha’ over the west-central Bay of Bengal is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Kakinada and Tuni with maximum sustained wind speeds of 100–110 kmph.”

📍 Landfall Predictions & Impact Zones

Cyclone Montha’s landfall window has been revised by the IMD to midmorning to late evening today (October 28, 2025).
Major impact zones include:

• Andhra Pradesh: East Godavari, Vizag, Srikakulam, and Vizianagaram

• Odisha: Ganjam, Rayagada, and Koraput districts

• Telangana: Northern districts, including Khammam and Nalgonda

Expected conditions:

• Gale winds: 90–110 kmph along the coast

• Sea surge: 1–1.5 meters above normal tide levels

• Rainfall: 150–200 mm in 24 hours in coastal and nearby inland regions

🚨 State Response: Andhra Pradesh on High Alert

Deputy Chief Minister Nara Lokesh posted on X:

“#APpreparesForMontha – AP is on high alert for #CycloneMontha. A 24x7 RTGS war room is coordinating evacuations, rescue, and restoration with a zero-casualty mission. About 40 lakh people across 19 districts are in the vulnerable zone.”

Key measures taken:

• Over 65 trains cancelled and several flights grounded (East Coast Railway & Vizag Airport).

• 7,000+ emergency shelters set up in coastal districts.

• NDRF and SDRF teams deployed across affected areas.

• 787 pregnant women relocated to hospitals for safety (Daily Excelsior).

• Schools and colleges closed across Andhra, Odisha, and parts of Telangana (Odisha I&PR Dept).

🌊 Sea & Port Conditions

The Kakinada Port has hoisted Danger Signal No. 7, indicating a very severe weather threat.
IMD & Indian Navy have warned of:

• High tidal waves and rough sea conditions

• Complete suspension of fishing operations

• Ships advised to move to deep sea or return to ports

🚆 Transport & Connectivity Disruptions

According to The Indian Express, 25+ trains have been cancelled by East Coast Railway due to safety concerns.
Airlines have suspended or rescheduled flights to Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, and Bhubaneswar.
Bus and local transport services remain partially disrupted.

🥔 Economic Impact: Rising Prices Amid Panic

• Odisha & Andhra markets report spikes in potato and vegetable prices (The New Indian Express, OdishaTV).

• Fishing and port operations halted, affecting exports.

• Maize and paddy farmers in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh brace for crop loss (Telegraph India).

🌦️ Other Regional Weather Effects

• Delhi-NCR: Light rainfall predicted due to Cyclone Montha’s peripheral impact (India TV News).

• Vidarbha, Maharashtra: Moderate to heavy rains between Oct 28–30 (ThePrint).

• Tamil Nadu: Coastal rain and school holidays declared in Chennai (Telangana Today).

🌀 Meaning and Naming of ‘Montha’

According to Times of India, the name ‘Montha’ was suggested by Thailand, following the regional cyclone naming conventions set by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). It means “a kind of flower.”

The next cyclone name on the list after Montha will be announced by IMD once this system dissipates.

🤝 Government Coordination and Relief Operations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly spoken with Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu, assuring full central assistance (AP7AM).
The Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and NDRF teams are on standby for rescue and medical missions.
Power supply and communication lines are being strengthened in coastal zones.

📢 Key Safety Guidelines for Citizens

IMD and State Disaster Authorities have urged citizens to:

• Stay indoors during landfall hours.

• Avoid venturing near beaches and water bodies.

• Charge mobile phones and keep torches handy.

• Store dry food and drinking water for 2–3 days.

• Follow official updates via IMD, NDMA, and local authorities.

📡 Live Updates Summary (as of latest reports):

SourceUpdate TimeKey InformationNDTV10 mins agoCyclone Montha turns severe; to cross Andhra coast tonightThe Hindu1 hr agoMajor rainfall confined to North Coastal AndhraIndia Today1 hr agoRed alert; winds up to 110 kmph expectedDeccan Chronicle46 mins agoDanger Signal 7 issued for Kakinada PortBusiness Today2 hrs ago65 trains cancelled; evacuation underwayHindustan Times3 hrs agoIMD confirms severe storm intensityEconomic Times1 hr agoRed alerts across Andhra, Odisha, and Bengal

💬 Final Word

Cyclone Montha represents one of the most intense Bay of Bengal storms of 2025, reminding us of the importance of early warning systems, community preparedness, and rapid evacuation mechanisms. With coordinated efforts from IMD, state administrations, and central authorities, Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states are striving toward a “zero-casualty” outcome.