Overview
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Tropical Cyclone Advisory for the North Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal), Cyclonic Storm Montha made landfall late on Tuesday (28 October) between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall across multiple coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. According to National Bulletin No. 40, issued at 2250 hours local time, Cyclonic Storm Montha was centred near latitude 16.2°N and longitude 82.0°E, approximately 90 km from Kakinada, with maximum sustained winds of 90–100 km/h, gusting to 110 km/h.
Following landfall, Cyclonic Storm Montha maintained intensity for nearly six hours before beginning to weaken gradually by Wednesday (29 October) morning. IMD projections indicate a north-northwestward movement across coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with the system likely to weaken into a deep depression within three hours and into a depression within the subsequent six hours.
Meteorological Update
As per the IMD update at 0930 hours (local time), Montha was centred over coastal Andhra Pradesh, about 80 km northwest of Narsapur, 100 km west of Kakinada, 90 km north of Machilipatnam, and 230 km west-southwest of Visakhapatnam.
The cyclone’s influence extended across Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and parts of Tamil Nadu and Gangetic West Bengal, accompanied by sustained heavy rainfall and strong surface winds.
By noon on Wednesday, the IMD observed weakening intensity along the north Andhra Pradesh–Yanam–Odisha coasts, with rainfall belts progressively shifting inland.
Operational Disruptions
- Visakhapatnam Airport resumed operations on Wednesday morning, while Vijayawada–Vizag–Vijayawada flights remained suspended. Travellers have been advised to confirm flight schedules before departure.
- South Central Railway (SCR) and East Coast Railway (ECoR) continued large-scale cancellations and diversions. Restoration work is ongoing with help desks and 24×7 coordination cells active for passenger assistance.
- Vehicular night curfews remained in effect across multiple Andhra districts until 0600 hours Wednesday as a precautionary measure during landfall.
- Great Danger Signal No. 10 was hoisted at Kakinada, and high-wind warnings remain active at adjacent coastal ports.
In Anakapalli, local police and NDRF teams successfully cleared a large fallen tree on National Highway 16, restoring traffic after a two-hour operation under the supervision of the District SP.
Damage Assessment and Relief Operations
Preliminary reports estimate agricultural losses exceeding 1.7 lakh hectares in affected Andhra Pradesh districts. One fatality was reported in Konaseema. Official assessment reports are awaited.
To support relief and recovery, NDRF, SDRF, and ODRAF teams remain deployed across coastal zones. The Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Manyam, Alluri, Visakhapatnam, Eluru, Guntur, and Palnadu, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected in Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, and West Godavari.
To maintain communication continuity, the Andhra Pradesh administration installed 81 wireless towers and 21 large lamps in critical zones. For restoration efforts, authorities deployed 1,447 earthmovers, 321 drones, and 1,040 chainsaws. Additionally, 3.6 crore alert messages were disseminated to residents, and 865 tonnes of animal fodder were stocked for affected livestock.
Strong winds caused major power outages in Machilipatnam after a flex board struck a 33kV power line at a substation. Power teams have initiated restoration work, with efforts underway to resume normal supply.
Impact and Safety Measures
Local authorities are maintaining continuous surveillance to ensure public safety. Flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in hilly terrain remain possible as residual rainfall persists. Disruptions to power and communication networks may occur due to lightning or strong winds.
Rescue teams from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard are on standby to mitigate storm-related disruptions and ensure rapid response across affected regions.
Recommendations
- Remain updated through IMD’s All India Cyclone Bulletin at https://mausam.imd.gov.in.
- Monitor state disaster management portals:
- Andhra Pradesh SDMA: https://apsdma.ap.gov.in | Helpline: +91 86452 46600
- Odisha SDMA: https://www.osdma.org | Helpline: 0674-2395398 / 2395531
- Tamil Nadu SDMA: https://tnsdma.tn.gov.in | Helpline: +91 94458 69843
Residents are advised to:
- Prepare for possible power outages and keep electronic devices fully charged.
- Expect delays in supply chains and employee commutes due to waterlogging and traffic congestion.
- Avoid travel to flood-prone or landslide-prone areas unless essential.
- Verify flight schedules before departure and allow extra travel time to airports.
Conclusion
Cyclonic Storm Montha continues to weaken as it moves inland, yet its effects remain significant across coastal Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring regions. While rainfall intensity is subsiding, the impact of Cyclone Montha on agriculture, infrastructure, and transport remains considerable.
Authorities across Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Kakinada are focusing on restoration, power recovery, and communication stability as conditions gradually normalize. Continuous vigilance and adherence to official advisories remain crucial until the complete dissipation of Cyclonic Storm Montha.
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