Cyclone Montha begins landfall near Andhra coast

The landfall process of Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) Montha began off the Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday evening and is expected to continue for the next three to four hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. In a post on X at 7.30 pm, the IMD said its latest observations indicated that the landfall process had commenced.

“Latest observations indicate that the landfall process has commenced. The landfall process will continue for the next three to four hours,” the IMD said. According to the weather agency, the system will cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, around Kakinada, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 90–100 kmph and gusts reaching up to 110 kmph.

Andhra Pradesh
Standing crops spread over 38,000 hectares and horticulture crops in 1.38 lakh hectares were destroyed in Andhra Pradesh due to the cyclone's impact. “Due to the impact of the cyclone, heavy rains across the state destroyed standing crops in 38,000 hectares and horticulture crops in 1.38 lakh hectares,” said a press release from the CMO, citing preliminary estimates.

The cyclone is expected to impact 403 mandals across 22 districts, prompting the state government to set up 488 control rooms at the mandal level. Nearly 76,000 people have been shifted to relief camps, and 219 medical camps have been opened across various locations, it added. To ensure uninterrupted emergency communication, 81 wireless towers and 21 high-mast lamps have been installed.

The government has also kept 1,447 earthmovers, 321 drones, and 1,040 chainsaws ready to clear uprooted trees. As part of preparedness measures, 3.6 crore alert messages have been sent to residents across the state. The government has also arranged 865 tonnes of animal fodder, it further said.

Authorities have urged residents in cyclone-affected districts to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and remain vigilant.

Odisha
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday said his government was well prepared to face the challenges posed by Cyclone Montha and has opened over 2,000 disaster relief centres across eight southern districts for people likely to be affected by the severe cyclonic storm. He said 11,396 people have been shifted to 2,048 disaster relief centres opened by the state government.

Majhi made the statement after reviewing the state’s preparedness at a high-level meeting attended by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, DGP Y B Khurania, and other senior officials. “As per the IMD forecast, Montha will make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha will certainly be impacted. The state will receive extremely heavy rainfall and comparatively less intense wind,” Majhi said.

The Chief Minister said the government had taken all precautionary measures to achieve its goal of “zero casualty.” He said evacuation of people from low-lying and hilly areas was still underway in vulnerable parts of eight districts, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal. “These districts are expected to receive extremely heavy rain, for which mitigation plans have been made,” he said.

Of the 2,693 identified pregnant women, 1,871 have already been shifted to hospitals, while another 822 in advanced stages of pregnancy are expected to be moved to health centres by Tuesday evening, the Chief Minister added.