Weather today: Cyclone Montha Barrels Towards Andhra Coast; IMD Issues Red Alerts for Andhra, Odisha, Telangana

By /

A state of high alert prevails along India’s eastern coastline as Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Montha’ intensifies over the Bay of Bengal, poised for a destructive landfall later today. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued its highest-level red alerts for several districts in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana, warning of extremely heavy rainfall, storm surges, and ferocious winds.

The Storm’s Trajectory and Intensity

As of the latest IMD bulletin, Cyclone Montha has transformed into a severe cyclonic storm, located approximately 280 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam and 360 km south-southeast of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. The system is packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 90-100 km per hour, gusting up to 110 kmph, and continues to gain strength as it moves towards the coast.

The cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, on the evening or night of October 28. The IMD has highlighted that the storm’s intensification is being fueled by continuous moisture feed from the Bay of Bengal.

Critical Warnings and Potential Impact

The IMD’s warnings paint a picture of a significant weather event with widespread impact.

  • Storm Surge Threat: A critical warning has been issued for a storm surge of about 1 meter above the astronomical tide. This is likely to inundate low-lying areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam (a Puducherry enclave) around the time of landfall, posing a severe threat to life and property.

  • Widespread Torrential Rains: The cyclone’s influence will extend far beyond the point of landfall, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall across multiple states in its path. The rainfall forecast is as follows:

    • October 28: Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mahe, and Coastal Karnataka.

    • Until October 30: Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.

  • Additional Hazards: The IMD has also predicted squally winds, widespread thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph in the interior regions of the affected states.

State-by-State Breakdown of Alerts

1. Andhra Pradesh (Highest Alert)
Several coastal districts are under a red alert today, indicating the highest level of warning. These include:

  • Vizianagaram

  • Vishakhapatnam

  • Anakapalli

  • Kakinada

  • Yanam

  • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema

  • West Godavari

The red warning is expected to remain in effect until October 30 due to the forecast of “extremely heavy” rainfall.

2. Odisha
The southern districts of the state are bracing for a severe impact, with a red alert in force for:

  • Malkangiri

  • Koraput

  • Rayagada

  • Gajapati

  • Ganjam
    Other regions have been placed under orange and yellow alerts, signifying slightly less but still dangerous conditions.

3. Telangana
The eastern parts of the state are on high alert, with a red alert issued for:

  • Jayashankar Bhupalpally

  • Mulugu

  • Bhadradri Kothagudem

  • Mahabubabad
    An orange alert is also active for districts including Komuram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Peddapalli, Khammam, Warangal, and Hanumakonda.

4. Tamil Nadu
While the direct landfall will be further north, the northern coastal regions of Tamil Nadu are under significant threat. An orange alert has been issued for districts like:

  • Chengalpattu

  • Chennai

  • Kanchipuram

  • Thiruvallur

Preparations and Wider Impact

The impending cyclone has triggered large-scale preparedness measures. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been pre-positioned in vulnerable areas. Evacuations from low-lying coastal villages are likely underway.

The ripple effects of Cyclone Montha are also expected to be felt in West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, and Bihar over the subsequent days as the system moves inland and weakens.

Authorities are urging residents in the affected districts to stay indoors, avoid travel, and closely follow updates from official sources. Fishermen have been advised to remain in port, and all maritime activities have been suspended until the storm passes.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Cyclone Montha, a severe cyclonic storm, is set for landfall near Kakinada, AP, tonight.

  • Red Alerts are in effect for coastal Andhra Pradesh, southern Odisha, and eastern Telangana.

  • A storm surge of 1 meter threatens to inundate low-lying coastal areas.

  • Extremely heavy rainfall is forecast for multiple states until October 30.

  • The cyclone’s impact will also be felt in Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and parts of East India.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top