Cyclone Montha Set to Hit Andhra Coast, IMD Issues Heavy Rain Warnings

A severe cyclonic storm named Montha is expected to form over the Bay of Bengal by October 26 and intensify rapidly as it moves northwestwards towards India’s eastern coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that this storm is likely to make landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, during the evening or night of October 28. The landfall area lies between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam.

Due to Montha, Andhra Pradesh is forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, especially in parts of Yanam and Rayalaseema, from October 27 to 28. The entire state has been put under a yellow warning on October 26. Odisha is also expected to experience heavy to very heavy rains on October 28 and 29, affecting districts like Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri. Wind speeds in these regions may reach 60 to 70 km/h with gusts up to 80 km/h.

Currently, moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is predicted at isolated places in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam districts. Light to moderate rain is expected over Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Kanchipuram districts. Heavy showers are likely to begin as early as October 25 in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpet, and Puducherry, and then spread to Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet by October 26.

On October 27, areas including Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, and Vellore are likely to receive heavy rainfall with intense downpours in Chennai. By October 28, rainfall is expected to ease but remain heavy primarily in Tiruvallur and Ranipet.

As of late October 25, the depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal was moving west-northwest at 8 kmph, centered near latitude 11.0°N and longitude 87.7°E, about 550 km west of Port Blair and 850 km east-southeast of Chennai. The system is forecast to strengthen into a deep depression by October 26 and then into a cyclonic storm by October 27 morning, intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28 before landfall.

IMD has advised residents in the affected regions to stay vigilant and closely follow official warnings due to the anticipated heavy rains, strong winds, and potential coastal flooding associated with the storm.