Severe cyclonic storm Montha made landfall near Antarvedi in Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, unleashing sustained winds of 90-100 kmph with gusts up to 110 kmph over nearly four hours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the system crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, south of Kakinada, triggering torrential rains, high tides, and rough seas across coastal regions. High tides battered roads like Uppada in Kakinada district, while seawater inundated villages such as Palepalem, Karavaka, and Gogannamatham.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reported two deaths—one a 43-year-old woman in Konaseema killed by a falling tree—and minor injuries to others, crediting proactive evacuations of over 76,000 people to 1,000 relief camps for minimising casualties. Naidu conducted aerial surveys of affected districts, including Konaseema, Kakinada, and West Godavari, distributing essentials and vowing swift restoration. Preliminary assessments revealed extensive agricultural losses: 38,000 hectares of standing crops and 1.38 lakh hectares of horticulture damaged, alongside uprooted trees (over 200 in Antarvedi), snapped power poles, and flooded roads.

The storm disrupted transport, with over 120 trains cancelled and 52 flights grounded, while power outages affected thousands; restoration teams cleared debris rapidly. Neighbouring Odisha reported heavy rains in 25 places (Gajapati: 150.5 mm max), landslides, and impacts in 15 districts; Telangana faced flash floods with Nagarkurnool logging 200 mm. By Wednesday morning, Montha had weakened to a cyclonic storm over coastal Andhra, moving northwest at 10 kmph and expected to become a deep depression soon, though heavy rains persist till Thursday.

Also Read: Cyclone Montha Kills One in Andhra Pradesh, Weakens After Landfall

Authorities continue relief operations with NDRF/SDRF teams deployed, medical camps operational, and Central assistance assured; Naidu urged two more days of vigilance against disease outbreaks and further damage assessments for compensation. Schools remain shut in affected areas, with IMD issuing ongoing alerts for Telangana, Odisha, and beyond.

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