Cyclonic storm Montha is poised to strike the coast of Andhra Pradesh, prompting large-scale evacuations and emergency preparations across the eastern states. The cyclone is the first major storm of the season and is expected to make landfall near Kakinada around midnight on Tuesday.
According to a TOI report, the system is currently over the west-central Bay of Bengal and is forecast to intensify into a “severe cyclonic storm” before it crosses the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam. It is projected to bring destructive wind speeds of 90-100 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 110 kmph.
The Andhra Pradesh government has placed the districts of Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari and Eluru on high alert. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to take all necessary measures to prevent any cyclone-related fatalities.
Substantial relief and rescue machinery has been mobilised. Civil supplies minister Nadendla Manhor, the incharge minister for Eluru, stated that 269 rehabilitation centres have been established with all essential facilities.
"Thirty NDRF and 50 SDRF teams have been pressed into service. Earthmovers, tractors and generators with enough fuel stocks have been kept ready," he was quoted as saying in the TOI report.
He also confirmed that nearly 140 pregnant women from vulnerable villages have been moved to hospitals as a precaution.
As part of the preparedness, holidays have been declared for all educational institutions until Wednesday, all fishing boats have been recalled from the sea and stocks of essential goods and medicines have been prepositioned.
While Andhra Pradesh is expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with red and orange alerts issued for 23 of its districts, the effects will be felt across state borders.
The south-coastal districts of neighbouring Odisha are likely to witness heavy rainfall and strong winds. The northern districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, are also expected to receive heavy rains.
In Odisha, the state government has initiated its own emergency measures, evacuating approximately 3,000 people from vulnerable areas. A state official confirmed that among those relocated are 1,496 women in advanced stages of pregnancy, who have been shifted to hospitals for safety.
As many as 140 teams from the NDRF, ODRAF and fire services have been deployed and schools have been shut in eight high-risk districts until Thursday. Authorities are maintaining a close watch on the districts of Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri for potential landslides triggered by the heavy downpour.
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