Bhubaneswar, Oct 26: The Odisha Fire Department has been placed on high alert as the state braces for the potential impact of Cyclone Montha, expected to develop over the Bay of Bengal between October 27 and 29.
Fire Officer Prabhat Kumar said that the department has completed all necessary preparations in coordination with the state government and disaster management authorities.
“There is a possibility of a cyclone from October 27 to 29, so we are fully prepared. Following instructions from the government, administration, and higher authorities, we have readied all our OBMs, power boats, power cutters, and portable lights for operation in darkness. We are fully ready for this,” Kumar told ANI.
Meanwhile, Balasore District Magistrate Suryavanshi Mayur Vikas confirmed that the cyclone is expected to make landfall in the Sadar region, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast.
“IMD has predicted heavy rainfall in Balasore, with a yellow alert in effect from October 27 to 29 and an orange alert for October 30. All departments from fire to health are on standby. Fishermen have been instructed not to venture into the sea,” the DM said.
He added that control rooms at the block and district levels are operational round the clock, while arrangements have been made for dry rations, medical support, and evacuation of vulnerable populations, including expectant mothers. “Our SRC boat and disaster response teams are ready to act immediately in case of heavy rainfall or flooding,” he added.
According to the IMD, the depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal moved westward at a speed of 7 kmph in the past six hours and was centred at 11:30 am IST on October 25 near latitude 10.8°N and longitude 88.6°E about 460 km west-southwest of Port Blair, and over 1,000 km from Odisha’s Gopalpur coast.
The system is likely to intensify into a deep depression by October 26 and further strengthen into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 27. It is expected to develop into a severe cyclonic storm by October 28 morning, moving towards the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha coast.
The IMD forecasts that the cyclone may cross the Andhra coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada on the night of October 28, with wind speeds of 90–100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.
Telangana is also expected to experience light to moderate rainfall between October 27 and 29, with heavy showers in some southern and eastern districts. The Andhra Pradesh coast has been placed under a Red Alert, warning residents of high wind speeds and intense rainfall.
With the Bay of Bengal system intensifying rapidly, the Odisha government has urged residents in coastal areas to remain vigilant, avoid venturing into the sea, and follow safety advisories issued by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and the IMD.