Cyclone Montha will pass through Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh today; precautionary measures also taken in Odisha, Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.

New Delhi: As the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified, Cyclone Montha made landfall in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh. Heavy rains began Monday in six states: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, and Kerala. According to the Meteorological Department, Montha is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday morning and could make landfall in Kakinada, the coastal port of Andhra Pradesh, between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, by evening or night.

According to the Meteorological Department, winds could reach a maximum speed of 110 kmph during this period. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to take necessary precautionary measures in view of the threat posed by Cyclone Montha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Chief Minister Naidu over the phone to inquire about preparations for the cyclone. Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh has been instructed to coordinate with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Naidu stated that the Prime Minister has assured the state of central assistance to deal with Cyclone Montha.

Chief Minister Naidu also held a review meeting with officials at the Real Time Governance System (RTGS). According to the Meteorological Department, Krishna district is likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two days. Similarly, Guntur, Bapatla, NTR, Palnadu, and West Godavari districts are also expected to receive heavy rainfall. In addition to Andhra Pradesh, other states are also on high alert in view of Cyclone Montha. More than 50,000 people have been evacuated from coastal areas. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF teams are also on standby to deal with any eventuality.

Fishermen advised not to venture into the sea for five days
Fishermen in coastal states have been advised not to venture into the sea for the next five days. The Meteorological Department reported on Monday that the cyclonic storm, moving at a speed of 17 kmph, was centered over the west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal at 2:30 pm. This area is about 440 km east of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, 490 km south-southeast of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, 530 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, and 710 km south-southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha.

Leaves cancelled for emergency personnel
The IMD stated that the cyclone is expected to move roughly north-northeastward across the east-central Arabian Sea during the next 48 hours. Authorities in coastal areas of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh and eastern Odisha have cancelled the leave of emergency personnel. Schools and colleges have also been ordered closed due to the inclement weather. The Tamil Nadu government has also advised people to remain vigilant. Cyclones frequently hit India’s east coast between April and December.

Odisha: Firefighting Units Deployed Ahead of Cyclone
As a precautionary measure in view of Cyclone Montha, Odisha has deployed 123 firefighting units across the state. Eight districts have been designated as red zones, giving them special priority. Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams are equipped with rescue boats, motor rafts, power saws, and generators to conduct rapid rescue and relief operations. All districts in the state have been put on alert and instructed to be prepared with men and machinery for rescue operations if the approaching cyclone changes its direction.

Telangana: Heavy to Very Heavy Rain for Two Days
The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rain at isolated places in Telangana over the next two days. Heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds is likely at isolated places in Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, and other districts from 12 noon on October 28 to 8:30 am on October 29. Adilabad, Komaram Bheem, and several other districts will also experience more or less the same conditions.

Kerala: Two dead due to heavy rains
Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds lashed several districts of Kerala on Monday, causing flooding in low-lying areas. In Alappuzha district, a fisherman died after his boat capsized near Arthunkal beach. A man from West Bengal died after being struck by lightning in Muknoor, near Angamaly. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Kozhikode, Kasaragod, Kannur, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts for the next 24 hours.

Tamil Nadu: Heavy rains in four districts
Tamil Nadu’s capital, Chennai, and three other districts experienced heavy rains throughout the day on Monday. Regional Meteorological Center Director B. Amudha said that in addition to Chennai, heavy to very heavy rains are expected in Ranipet, Tiruvallur, and Kanchipuram, and heavy rains are also expected in Villupuram and Chengalpattu over the next two days.

Bengal: Landslide Threat in Hilly Areas
Cyclone Montha brought heavy rain to several areas of West Bengal on Monday, causing waterlogging in low-lying areas in the plains. The Meteorological Department has also warned of landslides in the hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. Light to moderate rain is expected in many parts of South Bengal, while heavy rain is expected in North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, East and West Bardhaman, Birbhum, and Murshidabad districts between Tuesday and Friday.