As Cyclone Montha inches closer to India’s eastern coastline, states including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu are on high alert for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and possible flooding. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that Montha has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the West Central and Southeast Bay of Bengal and is expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam on Sunday evening or night. Preparations are underway across multiple states with large-scale evacuation drives, emergency teams deployed, and disaster response mechanisms activated to mitigate potential loss of life and property.
Widespread Preparedness Across Coastal States
The cyclonic system, which has rapidly strengthened in the past six hours, is expected to bring widespread heavy rainfall and powerful gusts to several coastal and inland regions. IMD has issued a red alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and parts of Tamil Nadu, warning residents of severe weather conditions. The Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, as well as Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, are under orange alert, indicating the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall coupled with strong winds.
In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has taken direct charge of the situation, instructing officials to ensure all precautionary measures are in place. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for timely evacuation of residents from vulnerable coastal villages to safer shelters. Special officers have been appointed to oversee relief operations and to monitor cyclone shelters round the clock. Naidu also directed authorities to ensure uninterrupted access to clean drinking water and to prevent contamination during the storm. The government has activated its emergency communication network to ensure coordination between local administration, police, health, and disaster management teams.
According to the India Meteorological Department, Montha is expected to intensify further before making landfall, with wind speeds likely to reach between 90 and 110 kilometres per hour along the Andhra coast. The cyclone’s center is projected to move in a north-northwestward direction, bringing with it heavy rain and squally winds. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) managing director Prakhar Jain stated that the impact could be significant across coastal districts, with potential disruption to electricity, transportation, and communication networks.
In Odisha, similar precautionary measures have been taken. The state government has issued directives for the evacuation of residents from low-lying and flood-prone areas in Ganjam, Gajapati, and Puri districts. All fishing activities along the Odisha and north Andhra coasts have been suspended until further notice, with fishermen advised not to venture into the sea. The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed across the vulnerable districts to assist in rescue and relief operations.
Tamil Nadu, which is also under the influence of the cyclonic circulation, is witnessing heavy to very heavy rainfall across several southern and coastal districts. The IMD has predicted strong winds and localized flooding in Chennai, Cuddalore, and Nagapattinam regions. Authorities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have activated control rooms to monitor the cyclone’s movement and have set up temporary relief shelters for residents in coastal areas. The state’s electricity and public works departments have been instructed to stay on alert for power outages, waterlogging, and infrastructure damage.
As Cyclone Montha moves closer to the coast, the IMD has also warned of rough sea conditions, with waves rising up to 2-3 meters in height. Coastal residents have been urged to avoid venturing near the shore, while ports have been instructed to suspend all shipping operations temporarily. The Eastern Naval Command has placed its ships and aircraft on standby for rescue and relief operations if required.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has been in constant touch with the concerned state governments, reviewing preparations and ensuring that central assistance is available wherever necessary. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla held a virtual meeting with the chief secretaries of the affected states to assess readiness and ensure seamless coordination among all agencies. The government’s focus remains on pre-emptive evacuation, infrastructure protection, and timely dissemination of weather updates to the public.
Montha’s Reach Extends Beyond the East Coast
While Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu are bracing for the cyclone’s immediate impact, its influence is expected to be felt far beyond the eastern coastline. The IMD has predicted heavy to moderate rainfall across several states, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Goa. These regions have been placed under a yellow alert, indicating possible rainfall and localized thunderstorms due to Montha’s expansive cloud cover and moisture intrusion into the mainland.
In Maharashtra, the Vidarbha region is expected to witness significant weather activity between October 28 and 30. Districts such as Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Wardha, Washim, Yavatmal, Bhandara, Gondia, and Nagpur are likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. A yellow alert has been issued for these regions. Praveen Kumar, a scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre in Nagpur, stated that the system has been moving in a north-northwestward trajectory over the southwest and adjoining areas of the Bay of Bengal, influencing weather patterns in central India.
Similarly, light to moderate rainfall is expected in southern Madhya Pradesh and parts of Chhattisgarh as the cyclone moves inland. The IMD has advised farmers and agricultural workers to suspend harvesting activities, especially in open fields, to prevent damage to crops. States such as Gujarat and Rajasthan are also likely to experience light rainfall and gusty winds as the remnants of the cyclone weaken while moving northwestward.
In the coastal areas of West Bengal, intermittent showers have already begun, with the state’s disaster management department putting emergency teams on standby. Kolkata and surrounding districts are expected to receive scattered rainfall over the next 48 hours. In Kerala and Karnataka, the IMD has predicted heavy rainfall in isolated areas due to moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal, even though these states are not directly under the cyclone’s path.
The impact of Cyclone Montha is therefore not confined to the eastern coastline but extends across a wide swath of the Indian subcontinent. This has prompted a pan-regional state of preparedness involving multiple state governments, meteorological departments, and disaster response agencies. The IMD continues to issue hourly updates, tracking the cyclone’s speed, intensity, and path using advanced satellite and radar systems.
Meanwhile, relief and rescue agencies have been placed on high alert. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has positioned 11 teams across the most vulnerable districts, while the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has deployed 12 teams in addition to local fire and emergency services. These units are equipped with inflatable boats, life jackets, ropes, medical supplies, and cutting equipment to manage emergencies. The Fire Services Department has deployed swimmers and rescue boats in key areas, while the 108 and 104 ambulance networks have been activated to respond swiftly to medical emergencies.
The Andhra Pradesh government has also set up medical camps in cyclone shelters to handle possible injuries and health emergencies. District administrations have been instructed to ensure sufficient stock of essential medicines, drinking water, and food supplies. To support immediate relief work, the state government has authorized the withdrawal of funds under TR-27 for rescue, evacuation, medical care, food distribution, sanitation, and road clearance operations. Additional financial assistance has been approved for districts projected to experience severe impact.
In addition to disaster response, the government is closely monitoring the functioning of reservoirs and dams in affected areas to prevent overflow or breaches due to heavy rainfall. Engineers and irrigation officials have been directed to maintain real-time surveillance of water levels and release excess water in a controlled manner. Power utilities have been asked to switch off supply in high-risk zones to prevent electrocution accidents during flooding.
Fishermen across the east coast have been strongly advised against venturing into the sea, as wind speeds are expected to exceed 100 kmph near the storm center. Port authorities have suspended cargo movement, and several flights from Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar airports have been delayed or canceled due to bad weather. Railways have also announced temporary suspensions of services along vulnerable coastal routes to prevent accidents from fallen trees or debris.
With the combined efforts of central and state governments, disaster management agencies, and local authorities, India’s preparedness levels appear to be stronger compared to previous cyclone events. Lessons learned from cyclones such as Fani (2019) and Amphan (2020) have significantly improved the country’s disaster response mechanism. Pre-emptive evacuation, early warning systems, and coordination between multiple departments are ensuring that human casualties and property losses are minimized.
The IMD will continue to issue regular bulletins as Cyclone Montha approaches landfall. As of the latest forecast, the storm is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam during the late evening or night of October 28, bringing intense rainfall and high-speed winds to the surrounding regions. States across central and southern India remain on alert, with officials urging citizens to stay indoors, follow safety advisories, and cooperate with authorities as the cyclone makes its expected landfall tonight.
