1. Overview of Cyclone Montha
Cyclone Montha has unleashed powerful winds and torrential rain across the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, leaving behind widespread destruction.
The severe storm made landfall near Kakinada on Tuesday evening, packing gusts up to 110 kmph and causing significant disruption to transport, infrastructure, and agriculture.
2. Where and How It Made Landfall
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Montha made landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around 7 PM Tuesday.
The storm brought maximum sustained winds of 90–100 kmph, with heavy rainfall flooding roads and uprooting trees across East and West Godavari, Kakinada, and Visakhapatnam districts.
By Wednesday morning, Montha had weakened into a cyclonic storm while moving inland toward Andhra Pradesh.
3. Deaths and Government Response
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu confirmed that two people died in cyclone-related incidents.
He said that timely preventive measures minimized casualties, and directed officials to restore normalcy within 48 hours.
All government departments remain on high alert as relief operations continue.
4. Mass Evacuations and Relief Measures
The state government safely evacuated over 76,000 residents from low-lying coastal regions before landfall.
Authorities established 219 medical camps, distributed 865 tonnes of animal fodder, and deployed:
- 1,447 earthmovers for debris clearance
- 321 drones for damage assessment
- 1,040 chainsaws to remove fallen trees
Vehicular curfews were enforced in seven districts — Krishna, Eluru, East & West Godavari, Kakinada, Konaseema, and Alluri Sitarama Raju — to protect public safety.
5. Transport Disruptions and Flight Cancellations
Cyclone Montha caused major travel chaos.
At Visakhapatnam Airport, 32 flights were cancelled, 16 at Vijayawada, and 4 at Tirupati.
The South Central Railway suspended 120 train services, while the East Coast Railway diverted several routes due to water-logging and fallen trees.
Highways were blocked by debris, disrupting emergency services and supply chains.
6. Crop Loss and Agricultural Damage
Initial reports estimate over 38,000 hectares of standing crops and 1.38 lakh hectares of horticultural fields were ravaged.
The IMD warned that paddy and vegetable crops in inundated areas face further damage.
Farmers in Konaseema and West Godavari are now demanding immediate compensation and rehabilitation aid.
7. Cyclone’s Impact on Odisha
Neighbouring Odisha also suffered significant damage.
Fifteen districts, including Malkangiri, Koraput, Ganjam, and Rayagada, witnessed torrential rain and strong winds.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi announced that over 11,000 people were shifted to 2,048 cyclone shelters.
Schools and anganwadi centres in nine districts remain closed till October 30.
8. Landslides and Flooding in Hilly Districts
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flash floods in Odisha’s southern hill districts.
Boulders and fallen trees blocked roads in Malkangiri and Rayagada, hampering relief efforts.
In Gajapati, a house collapse injured one person as rescue crews worked through the night to clear routes and restore connectivity.
9. Weather Alerts and Future Forecast
The IMD has issued red and orange alerts for several districts in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
The storm system is expected to further weaken into a deep depression as it moves northwest toward Telangana.
Heavy rainfall is forecast for Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, and West Bengal over the next 48 hours.
Fishermen have been advised to avoid the Bay of Bengal coast until conditions improve.
10. Final Words and Safety Appeal
Cyclone Montha has once again highlighted India’s vulnerability to severe tropical storms.
While the death toll was minimized thanks to timely warnings and mass evacuations, the economic and agricultural loss is immense.
Authorities continue damage assessments and relief distribution across both states.
Citizens are urged to stay alert for updates, avoid flooded roads, and report fallen power lines or blocked routes to local authorities.
The resilience and unity shown by residents during Cyclone Montha stand as a testament to human spirit in times of crisis.
