Kakinada: Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam late Tuesday evening, bringing with it torrential rain, gale-force winds, and widespread destruction across coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm, which initially packed winds of 90–100 kmph gusting up to 110 kmph, has now weakened into a cyclonic storm after crossing the coast south of Kakinada. The system is expected to move northwestwards across coastal Andhra Pradesh and gradually weaken into a deep depression within the next 12 hours.
Heavy Rains Batter Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
The storm brought extremely heavy rainfall across large parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana. Its outer bands also triggered showers in several other states, including Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
In Andhra Pradesh, strong winds uprooted trees and damaged power lines in Guntur, Konaseema, East Godavari, and Krishna districts. One woman was killed in Makanapalem village of Mamidikuduru mandal after a tree collapsed on her house. The banana plantations in Konaseema district suffered massive losses, while standing crops across 1.76 lakh hectares have been destroyed, including extensive damage to horticulture and paddy fields.
In Odisha, landslides and power outages disrupted life in southern districts such as Koraput and Gajapati, where several roads were blocked by debris. District authorities reported multiple landslides in Narayanpatna block, while schools and colleges in Gajapati district have been ordered shut until October 30 as a precautionary measure.
Mass Evacuations and Relief Operations Underway
The Andhra Pradesh government has evacuated nearly 76,000 people from vulnerable coastal areas to relief shelters. More than 219 medical camps have been established to provide emergency healthcare, while 865 tonnes of animal fodder have been distributed for livestock support. To accelerate restoration work, 1,447 earthmovers, 321 drones, and 1,040 chainsaws have been deployed across cyclone-hit regions to clear debris and restore power and road connectivity.
In Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi said that over 11,300 residents have been shifted to safety, primarily from eight southern districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput. He assured that the state is “fully prepared to handle any situation” and that special care is being provided to the elderly, pregnant women, and the sick.
Transport and Communication Severely Disrupted
Cyclone Montha brought major disruptions to air and rail travel. The Visakhapatnam Airport cancelled all 32 scheduled flights on Tuesday, while Vijayawada Airport cancelled 16 flights and operated only five. The South Central Railway Zone cancelled 120 trains, and several others were diverted or rescheduled across the East Coast Railway’s Waltair Division.
Strong winds in Visakhapatnam and Vetapalem uprooted trees and blocked roads, but police and municipal teams swiftly cleared the debris to restore traffic movement.
Wider Impact Across Coastal States
High waves battered the Mangaluru coast, washing ashore heaps of plastic waste and debris. In Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa, the IMD has forecast thunderstorms, lightning, and squalls due to the storm’s weakening remnants.
Schools and colleges across several districts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha remain closed, including Guntur, NTR, Bapatla, and Gajapati, while red alerts have been issued for Mulugu, Khammam, and Bhadrachalam (Telangana).
Climate Experts Link Cyclone to Warmer Oceans
Meteorologists attribute the intensification of Cyclone Montha to rising sea surface temperatures driven by global warming. “Warmer oceans supply more energy to tropical storms, making them stronger and more frequent near coastal regions,” experts told the Associated Press.
Human Toll and Ongoing Vigilance
As of Wednesday morning, one death has been officially confirmed in Andhra Pradesh, though assessments of property and agricultural losses are ongoing. State authorities have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid coastal areas until conditions stabilize.
IMD has forecast continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, south Odisha, and Telangana through Wednesday, with isolated areas likely to receive rainfall exceeding 20 cm.
Background: What Does “Montha” Mean?
The name “Montha” was given by Thailand, meaning a “fragrant flower” in the Thai language.
(With inputs from IMD, PTI, and state disaster management authorities)