Cyclone Montha Advancing Towards Andhra, Landfall Near Kakinada Expected Tuesday Evening

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh and the Yanam region as Cyclone Montha intensifies over the west-central Bay of Bengal and approaches the coastline. The system is expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, on Tuesday evening or night (October 28) as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speeds of 90–100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.

However, according to state emergency authorities, the landfall process has already begun, accompanied by strong winds, heavy rainfall and tidal surges along parts of the Andhra coast. Speaking to the media late Monday evening, APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain confirmed early land interaction of the storm with the coastline.

“The landfall process has started along the coast, accompanied by strong winds and heavy rainfall in East and West Godavari, Konaseema and Krishna districts,” Jain said. The cyclonic system has been moving north-northwestwards at a speed of 18 kmph over the last six hours, he added.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, said that outer bands of Cyclone Montha have already brought heavy rainfall to parts of northern Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram. As of Monday morning, the storm was located about 480 km east of Chennai over the Bay of Bengal before turning toward the Andhra coast.

“Cyclone Montha is very likely to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada as a Severe Cyclonic Storm on the evening or night of October 28,” said Dr. B. Amudha, Director, RMC Chennai. Wind speeds during landfall are expected to reach 90–100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Mass Evacuation Underway

According to official figures quoted by Reuters, nearly 50,000 people have been evacuated to relief camps in vulnerable coastal belt villages. NDRF and SDRF teams have been strategically deployed for rescue operations and emergency response, while district administrations have placed power, health and communication teams on alert.

Preliminary assessments by the Andhra Pradesh government suggest that around 3.9 million people in low-lying and coastal regions may be affected by storm surge, flooding and wind damage.

Fishing Banned, Control Rooms Active

Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea, with conditions in the west-central Bay of Bengal described as “extremely rough.” Officials said 24/7 control rooms have been activated in all coastal districts to monitor developments, while evacuation and shelter supplies including food, water and medical teams are on standby.

The IMD has issued a Red Alert for parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, warning of flash floods, power disruption, crop damage and uprooting of trees as the cyclone inches further inland.

Also Read: Cyclone ‘Montha’ Set to Turn Severe; IMD Sounds Alert for Andhra, Odisha Coasts