Bengal, Oct 28 : The severe cyclonic storm Montha, brewing over the west-central Bay of Bengal, is set to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam late Tuesday night, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
As of 5:30 a.m. on October 28, the storm was centred near latitude 14.7°N and longitude 83.1°E around 190 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 270 km south-southeast of Kakinada, and 340 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam. IMD reports indicate that Montha has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, with sustained winds and heavy rainfall predicted to lash multiple coastal regions.
A red alert has been issued for several districts of Odisha, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri, where extremely heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected. Meanwhile, a depression has also formed over the east-central Arabian Sea, roughly 510 km south-southwest of Veraval (Gujarat) and 580 km west-southwest of Mumbai, and is likely to move north-northeastwards over the next 36 hours.
Mass evacuations and preparedness efforts
Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, set up hundreds of relief centres, and cancelled several train services. Thousands of residents in low-lying and vulnerable coastal areas have been evacuated to safety.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is overseeing preparedness operations from the Real Time Governance Society Centre at the State Secretariat, assuring that the administration is “fully prepared to face any eventuality.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Naidu, pledging full central assistance to the state.
The Centre has positioned 22 NDRF teams across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh to manage rescue and relief operations. Officials estimate that the cyclone could impact more than 1,419 villages and 44 towns in Andhra Pradesh.
Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea, and all beaches have been closed to tourists until further notice.
Widespread rainfall expected across eastern India
As Cyclone Montha advances inland, the IMD has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across multiple states between October 27 and 31.
Andhra Pradesh & Yanam (Puducherry): Heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places, with isolated extremely heavy falls (>20 cm) between October 27–29.
Odisha: Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall expected on October 28–29, particularly in southern districts; isolated heavy rain to continue through October 30.
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal: Widespread light to moderate rain on October 27–28, with isolated heavy showers.
Telangana & Chhattisgarh: Heavy to very heavy rain on October 28–29, with potential for extremely heavy rainfall in some areas.
Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand & Bihar: Rainfall to intensify from October 28–31, with heavy to very heavy showers likely around October 30–31.
Emergency control rooms have been activated across coastal states to coordinate real-time updates, rescue efforts, and damage control as Cyclone Montha nears landfall.