Cyclone Montha Intensifies, Andhra Pradesh on High Alert Ahead of Landfall
Montha intensifies, Red Alert issued as severe storm targets coast.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that the deep depression over the southeast and southwest Bay of Bengal has escalated into Cyclonic Storm ‘Montha’, marking a rapid intensification that has placed coastal Andhra Pradesh on high alert. In its latest bulletin released at 2:24 a.m. on Monday, the IMD detailed the storm’s progression, forecasting further strengthening into a Severe Cyclonic Storm by Tuesday morning, with landfall anticipated late Tuesday evening or night.
As of 2:30 a.m., Montha was positioned approximately 600 km east-southeast of Chennai, 680 km south-southeast of Kakinada, 710 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, and 850 km south of Gopalpur in Odisha. The system has been moving west-northwestwards at 16 kmph over the past three hours. Meteorological models indicate that Montha will maintain this trajectory for the next 12 hours before recurving northwestwards and then north-northwestwards across the southwest and west-central Bay of Bengal.
The IMD predicts that the cyclone will cross the Andhra Pradesh coastline between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, close to Kakinada, during the evening or night of October 28. At landfall, sustained wind speeds are expected to reach 90-100 kmph, with gusts up to 110 kmph, posing significant risks of structural damage, uprooted trees, power outages, and coastal flooding.
Also Read: Orange Alert in Chennai as IMD Predicts Heavy Rain from Cyclonic System
A Red Alert has been issued for Monday across seven coastal districts: Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, Nellore, West Godavari, Konaseema, and Kakinada. These areas are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by squally winds and storm surges. Orange Alerts have been extended to adjacent districts, with widespread precipitation and gusty conditions expected statewide.
In response, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams to vulnerable zones. Evacuation drills have commenced in low-lying areas, and over 200 relief camps have been readied with essential supplies. Fishermen have been strictly prohibited from venturing into the sea until further notice, while coastal tourism activities remain suspended.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy chaired an emergency review meeting, directing district collectors to ensure zero casualties through proactive measures. “Priority is the safety of our people. All resources are mobilized,” he stated. Ports along the coast have halted operations, and rail and road authorities are monitoring infrastructure for potential disruptions.
Satellite imagery reveals Montha’s well-defined eye, with convective clouds intensifying around the core—a classic indicator of rapid strengthening. The IMD’s ensemble models suggest a 70-80% probability of the storm reaching severe cyclonic status, potentially triggering flash floods in riverine districts and saline intrusion in agricultural fields.
Residents are urged to stay indoors during peak wind hours, secure loose objects, and stock emergency kits. The IMD will issue hourly bulletins as Montha approaches, with the next detailed forecast expected at 8 a.m. Monday. As Andhra Pradesh braces for impact, the state’s resilience will be tested against nature’s escalating fury.
Also Read: Cyclone Montha Brewing Over Bay of Bengal, Tamil Nadu Coast on High Alert
