Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu on heavy rainfall alert, cyclone Montha to hit on Oct 28

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Disaster management teams in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal are on a high alert in view of an upcoming cyclonic storm, Montha, brewing in the Bay of Bengal. Ahead of its landfall, a heavy rainfall alert has been issued for the states from Monday onwards, News18 reported.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system, currently centred around 990 km east-southeast of Chennai, is moving west-northwestwards and is likely to intensify into a deep depression by Sunday.

It is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by early Monday morning. The cyclone is likely to move northwestwards toward the Andhra Pradesh coast, with a potential landfall between Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam early next week.

In a post on X, the weather department said the depression over southeast Bay of Bengal moved nearly westwards with a speed of seven kmph during past six hours and at 11:30 am lay centred over the same region, about 460 km west-southwest of Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), 950 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 960 km southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 970 km southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) and 1030 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha).

Authorities brace for waterlogging, traffic snarls, and power outages

The IMD has also issued warnings of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rough sea conditions along the Andhra Pradesh coast during the landfall. As a precaution, storm warning cage No. 1 has been hoisted at nine ports across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, indicating the likelihood of squally weather affecting coastal waters.

With the IMD’s orange alert in place, local authorities are bracing for possible disruptions, including waterlogging, traffic snarls, and power cuts in low-lying areas. Fisherfolk have been advised to avoid the sea till at least October 28, and coastal residents have been urged to stay alert as the system intensifies.

Naidu directs officials to stay vigilant as cyclone Montha nears

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has instructed officials to remain vigilant regarding the potential impact of Cyclone Montha.

During a teleconference on Saturday with district collectors, superintendents of police, and other senior officials to review cyclone preparedness, Naidu emphasized the need for proactive measures to minimize the cyclone’s effects. He also directed the collectors to formulate a special action plan for relief operations and ensure that all necessary resources are in place.

People residing in the coastal areas should be cautioned about the cyclone and evacuated to safety, and holidays declared to the educational institutions, if necessary, he said.

Tamil Nadu on alert: Over 24,000 officials deployed, 215 relief camps set up

The Tamil Nadu government has deployed 24,149 officials for relief operations, prepared over 1,400 motor pumps and 103 boats, and set up more than 215 relief camps along with 106 community kitchens to tackle potential flooding.

Fishermen have been advised to stay away from the sea until at least October 28, while those already at sea have been urged to return immediately.