Cyclone Montha turns severe - Andhra coast on high alert

The Cyclonic Storm Montha over the west-central Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, on Tuesday evening or night, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD bulletin stated that Cyclone Montha moved north-northwestwards at a speed of around 15 kmph during the past six hours and was centred about 190 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 270 km south-southeast of Kakinada, and 340 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam as of 0530 hrs IST on October 28. It is likely to cross the coast with maximum sustained wind speeds of 90–100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph.

Several coastal districts, including East and West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam, have been put on high alert as heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected. Parts of southern Odisha are also likely to experience heavy showers once the cyclone moves inland.

In Odisha’s Ganjam district, officials reported rough seas and high winds, while Vijayawada and Chennai recorded rainfall since early morning due to the cyclone’s outer bands. Around 30 fishing boats from Andhra Pradesh have been given shelter at Gopalpur Port in Odisha, said Marine Police Inspector Bidyabharati Nayak.

Meanwhile, in the Rayalaseema region comprising Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur, and Chittoor districts the IMD forecast heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms over the next 24–36 hours. Temperatures are expected to range between 29°C and 32°C (maximum) and 21°C to 23°C (minimum). Although not in the direct path of the cyclone, outer cloud bands may bring intermittent showers.

AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed district collectors and police officials to evacuate residents from vulnerable coastal areas and ensure the provision of food, safe drinking water, and medical facilities at rehabilitation centres.

Honourable Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and other ministers, and senior officials reviewed the impact of the severe cyclonic storm from the Command Control Center in RTGS.

Vehicular Movement suspended in Seven Andhra Districts as Cyclone Montha nears Landfall

Vehicular movement in seven districts of Andhra Pradesh has been suspended from 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday to 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday as a precautionary measure against Cyclone Montha , which is expected to make landfall along the state’s coast later tonight.

The decision has been announced by the Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Department following high alerts issued by the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) regarding the cyclone’s potential impact. The storm’s effects are expected to be felt most strongly in Krishna, Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Kakinada, and Alluri Sitarama Raju districts.

District Collectors and Superintendents of Police have been directed to halt all vehicular movement, including on national and state highways, during the restricted hours to prevent accidents and ensure public safety.

However, movement of emergency medical and essential services vehicles has been permitted during the restriction period. Residents of the affected districts have been urged to remain indoors, advised to avoid unnecessary travel, and requested to follow official instructions carefully.

It has been stated by the government that the measure is purely precautionary and aimed at ensuring the safety of citizens as Cyclone Montha brings strong winds and heavy rainfall to the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh.