Shrayan Sen
Cyclone Montha is set to make landfall this evening along the northern Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada, packing winds of 90 to 100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph. The system will cross the coast as a severe cyclonic storm and then weaken gradually as it moves inland — but its cloud bands have already begun influencing the weather over coastal and southern West Bengal. Under Montha’s influence rain phase is expected to begin in West Bengal from tuesday itself.
Landfall and Path Afterward
Montha will strike near Kakinada by late afternoon or evening on October 28. After landfall, it will track north-northwestward toward southern Odisha and the Chhattisgarh border, before curving northward into Jharkhand.
Eventually, the weakened system will bend north-northeastward, passing over Nepal, North Bengal, and the northeastern states. As it travels inland, it will lose strength rapidly — turning successively into a deep depression, then a well-marked low pressure, and finally a cyclonic circulation.
Heavy Rainfall to Lash Andhra, Telangana, and Odisha
The heaviest impact will be felt in northern Andhra Pradesh, northern Telangana, southern Odisha, and southern Chhattisgarh, where extremely heavy rainfall is likely through October 28 and 29. The hilly districts of southern Odisha, especially Koraput, could face severe flooding and landslides due to continuous downpours.
West Bengal: Prolonged Rain Expected Till November 1
Though the cyclone will not directly hit West Bengal, its outer rain bands have already started entering the coastal atmosphere, bringing cloudy skies and light drizzles to parts of South Bengal on tuesday.
The state will experience rainfall in three phases, as per meteorological assessments:
1. Kolkata, Adjoining Districts, and Coastal Belt
Light rain is expected from October 28 evening, followed by increased showers from October 29 onward.
Between October 29 and 31, moderate rainfall is expected across Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, South and North 24 Parganas, and East Midnapore.
Occasionally, short heavy spells may occur in some areas. However, there is no threat of severe weather or flooding in the city.
Rain may continue intermittently till November 1, gradually reducing thereafter.
2. Western and Central Bengal
Rainfall will be relatively heavier across Bankura, Purulia, West Midnapore, Birbhum, and parts of Bardhaman districts.
Moderate to heavy rain is expected between October 29 and 30, as Montha’s remnants move northward.
Despite the intensity, there will be no major danger of storm-related damage, as winds will remain mild.
3. North Bengal and the Hills
The impact will peak between October 30 and 31, with heavy rainfall expected across Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling.
In isolated areas, especially in the hills, very heavy rain could occur on October 31.
Sikkim’s high-altitude zones may even witness fresh snowfall due to the moisture surge.
Northeast to Receive Heavy Rain Later
After weakening over Jharkhand and North Bengal, Montha will continue moving northeastward. The states of Assam and Meghalaya are likely to experience heavy rainfall on October 31 and November 1, extending the storm’s final spell of impact before it dissipates completely.
Summary for West Bengal
- Light rain begins: October 28 evening
- Moderate rain across most districts: October 29–31
- Isolated heavy showers possible in South Bengal
- Heavy to very heavy rain in North Bengal (Oct 30–31)
- Sikkim snowfall and Assam rains likely on Oct 31–Nov 1
- No direct cyclone strike on West Bengal, only rain-related impact