Cyclonic Storm Montha began making landfall on Tuesday evening along the Andhra Pradesh coast, bringing with it heavy rain, powerful winds, and widespread disruption across several coastal districts.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the landfall process began around 7 p.m. as the cyclone crossed the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada. The storm is moving north-northwestward, packing wind speeds of 90–100 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 110 km/h.
Districts Under Impact
The cyclone has affected a wide stretch of the state’s coastline, including Kakinada, Krishna, Eluru, East and West Godavari, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema, and parts of Alluri Sitarama Raju district. Heavy rainfall and strong winds have caused trees to uproot, electric poles to collapse, and road traffic to halt in several low-lying areas.
One Dead, Two Injured in Storm Incidents
Authorities confirmed that one woman died in Konaseema district after a tree, uprooted by strong winds, fell on her house. Two others — a boy and an auto driver — sustained injuries in separate incidents linked to falling trees and debris.
Emergency Measures and Travel Restrictions
In view of the severe weather, the state government has suspended vehicular movement in the worst-affected areas from 8:30 p.m. Tuesday to 6:00 a.m. Wednesday. Disaster management teams, including the NDRF and SDRF, have been deployed in vulnerable regions, while district administrations have set up control rooms to monitor the situation round-the-clock.
Over 3.6 crore alert messages have been sent to residents through mobile networks, warning them to stay indoors and avoid coastal zones. Emergency equipment such as communication towers, chainsaws, earth-movers, drones, and lamps has been stationed in key districts for rapid response.
Warning for Farmers and Coastal Villages
The IMD has cautioned farmers about possible damage to standing paddy and vegetable crops due to heavy rain and flooding in low-lying areas. Authorities have advised farmers to drain water from the fields wherever possible to prevent crop loss.
Fishing operations have been suspended, and people living in coastal hamlets have been shifted to safer shelters.
Rain to Continue
The weather office has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall for the next 24 hours over coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Telangana. Winds are expected to gradually weaken as Cyclone Montha moves inland toward southern Odisha.