PM Modi reviews Cyclone Montha prep

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday instructed officials to take all precautionary measures as Cyclone Montha is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning and make landfall along the Andhra coast on the evening or night of October 28.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister Naidu over the phone and reviewed the situation, official sources said. Following the discussion, IT Minister Nara Lokesh was asked to coordinate with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to ensure real-time information sharing and inter-departmental coordination.

The Chief Minister held a review meeting with senior officials at the Real Time Governance System (RTGS) command centre in Amaravati. “The Chief Minister has ordered advance action in areas prone to heavy rains and flooding. He instructed departments to strengthen the banks of canals to prevent crop loss and monitor the cyclone’s movement on an hourly basis,” an official release said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system is likely to move north-northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada on Tuesday evening or night as a severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained winds up to 110 kmph.

Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over the next two days in Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, NTR, and West Godavari districts. The IMD has placed these districts under an orange alert, warning of intense rain, strong winds, and rough sea conditions. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, and coastal police have been instructed to ensure all boats return to shore.

The state government has deployed one SDRF team each in nine districts—NTR, Tirupati, Prakasam, Konaseema, Anakapalli, Rajahmundry, Bapatla, Annamayya, and Eluru. In addition, eight NDRF teams have been stationed across the coastal belt, with five more teams on standby for immediate deployment.

As part of emergency preparedness, district collectors have been authorised to withdraw ₹19 crore from contingency funds to meet expenses related to rescue and relief operations. “Severely affected districts may draw additional amounts as required, under intimation to the government,” said G. Sai Prasad, Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management), in an official order.

He instructed district collectors to prioritize evacuating people from low-lying and riverbank villages to safe shelters and ensure the supply of drinking water, food, and milk at relief camps. Collectors were also told to organise health check-ups, maintain sanitation, and undertake urgent repairs to roads and irrigation infrastructure.

The State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has activated control rooms in all coastal districts and is continuously tracking weather conditions through the RTGS network. As of Monday evening, around 12,000 people had been moved to temporary shelters in vulnerable villages, and further evacuations are expected through the night as rainfall intensifies.

Meanwhile, sea conditions have turned rough to very rough along the Andhra coast, especially between Ongole and Kakinada. Residents have been urged to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep emergency numbers such as 108 (ambulance) and 112 (disaster helpline) handy.

Cyclone Montha is the second cyclonic system to affect Andhra Pradesh in 2025, following Cyclone Michaung in January, which caused heavy rainfall in the southern districts. Montha is the first major cyclone of the post-monsoon season, and officials have said all departments are working in coordination to minimise damage and ensure swift relief response once the storm passes.

People’s Safety Is Our Priority says Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan

With Cyclone Montha likely to make landfall near Kakinada on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan directed officials to remain on high alert and ensure public safety. The cyclone is expected to affect 12 mandals in the district with strong winds and heavy rain.

During a review meeting with Minister P. Narayana, Collector Shan Mohan, and other officials, Pawan Kalyan ordered the evacuation of people from low-lying areas to 260 identified rehabilitation centers. Special care is being taken for pregnant women, the elderly, and the sick—142 pregnant women have already been shifted to safe zones.

Essential supplies such as food, water, and medicines are being arranged. NDRF and SDRF teams are on standby, while police are increasing security in evacuated areas. The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized 24x7 coordination among departments to prevent loss of life and ensure quick restoration after the cyclone.

Stay alert, help people: Jagan’s appeal to party cadre

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday appealed to people living in coastal and low-lying regions to remain cautious in view of Cyclone Montha, which is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds along parts of the Andhra coast.

In a statement issued from the party’s central office in Tadepalli, Mr. Jagan advised YSRCP leaders, cadres, and volunteers to extend support to local authorities and assist the public in precautionary and relief efforts. He urged the party ranks to be on the ground to help people in vulnerable areas with necessary assistance, including evacuation, shelter, and distribution of essential supplies if needed.

“People should stay alert and take all necessary safety measures as the cyclone approaches. Our party workers must stand by the affected families and coordinate with officials to ensure timely help,” the statement said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Cyclone Montha, currently forming over the west-central Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and move toward the Andhra–Odisha coast in the coming days. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in districts such as Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, and Konaseema, with moderate showers in parts of Krishna and Guntur.

In view of the adverse weather conditions, the YSR Congress Party has postponed its planned protest rallies against the privatization of government medical colleges, which were originally scheduled to be held in Assembly constituency centres on October 28 (Tuesday). The rallies will now be held on November 4, the party announced.

The YSRCP, which has been critical of the government’s reported move to privatize certain state-run medical colleges, said the decision to defer the agitation was taken out of concern for public safety amid the cyclone warning.

Officials have meanwhile intensified preparedness measures, setting up control rooms and keeping disaster response teams on standby in coastal districts. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, and district administrations have begun inspecting relief shelters and stockpiling emergency supplies.

Mr. Jagan’s appeal comes as the state braces for the impact of Cyclone Montha, the first major system to threaten Andhra Pradesh during the 2025 northeast monsoon season.