Cyclone Montha has triggered large-scale evacuations along Andhra Pradesh’s coastal districts after heavy rains and winds began lashing the region. Nearly 50,000 residents, including senior citizens and pregnant women, have been moved to relief camps from low-lying and vulnerable coastal villages. District authorities ordered the closure of schools and colleges, cancelled leave for emergency staff, and set up over 600 temporary shelters as the India Meteorological Department forecast landfall near Kakinada on October 28 as a severe cyclonic storm with gusts up to 110 kmph.
Rescue teams from NDRF, SDRF, and local disaster units are on stand-by across Andhra and neighboring Odisha, which also issued red alerts and began moving thousands of families. Pregnant women nearing delivery as well as the elderly were prioritized for relocation to ensure safety. The Andhra administration reported that at least 3.9 million people could be affected by flooding and power outages, with backup infrastructure and extra electric poles prepared for restoration work.
Fishermen have been warned to avoid venturing into the sea, while local authorities stockpiled tarpaulins, food, and medicines at relief centers. Memories of the devastating 2014 Hudhud cyclone have heightened vigilance and anxiety among residents stocking up on essentials[4]. Cyclone Montha’s path is also prompting high alert in parts of Tamil Nadu and Nepal, with officials in Chennai and neighboring districts preparing for very heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding.
