The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for a “severe cyclonic storm” named Montha, which is expected to make landfall later today. Originating as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, the system intensified into Cyclone Montha, and as of October 27 at 11:30 PM, it was centered near latitude 14°N and longitude 83.5°E.
According to IMD, Montha is currently packing winds of 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph, and continues to strengthen as it approaches the coastline. The cyclone was last located 280 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 360 km south-southeast of Kakinada, 410 km south of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), and 610 km south-southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha).
🌊 Landfall and Impact
Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall near Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada, between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, roughly 200 km from Odisha’s Malkangiri, during the evening or night of October 28.
The IMD has cautioned that a storm surge of around 1 meter above the astronomical tide could inundate low-lying coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam (Puducherry) during landfall. Several parts of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are also at risk of flash floods due to heavy rainfall and moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal.
☔ Heavy Rainfall Alerts
IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall in multiple states:
- October 28: Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mahe, and Coastal Karnataka
- Until October 30: Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh
🚨 Red and Orange Alerts by State
🔴 Andhra Pradesh:
Districts under red alert include Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Yanam, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, and West Godavari. IMD expects extremely heavy rainfall to persist for the next two days, with the red alert likely to remain until October 30.
🔴 Odisha:
Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts are under red alert, while orange and yellow alerts have been issued for surrounding regions expected to experience moderate impact.
🟠 Tamil Nadu:
Districts including Chengalpattu, Chennai, Kanchipuram, Ranipet, Thiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, and Villupuram are under orange alert for heavy rainfall and strong winds.
🔴 Telangana:
Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Mahabubabad are under red alert. Additionally, Komuram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Peddapalli, Khammam, Warangal, and Hanumakonda are under orange alert for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (40–50 kmph).
🌧️ Extended Impact
Beyond the southern and eastern states, West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, and Bihar are also expected to experience heavy rainfall and stormy conditions as Cyclone Montha moves inland.
