Due to Cyclone Montha intensifying over the Bay of Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka are expected to receive heavy rainfall with gusty winds. The system is presently in the deep depression stage and is anticipated to become a severe cyclonic storm by October 28, with orange and yellow alerts prevailing over select areas til Monday.
🌪 Cyclone Montha Strengthens Over Bay of Bengal
As per the latest update of the IMD, the depression over southwest Bay of Bengal is expected to attain cyclonic storm intensity by October 27, further strengthening within 24 hours into a severe cyclonic storm.
During the late night hours of October 25, the system was located near latitude 11.0°N and longitude 87.7°E and was tracking west-northwestward at a speed of 8 kmph.
Current Position-
- 550 km West of Port Blair
- 850 km East-Southeast of Chennai
- 890 km South-Southeast of Visakhapatnam
Towards Southeast, about 890 km distance from Kakinada
The system is likely to deepen over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal and track towards northwest and later north-northwest.
⚠️ IMD Alerts and Forecasts
Heavy rainfall with a closing spell is expected:
- Rayalaseema and Tamil Nadu during 27-28 October,
- Kerala and Mahe during 27-28 October,
- Coastal Karnataka during 26-28 October,
- Coastal Andhra and Yanam during 26-30 October,
- Telangana and Odisha during 27-30 October,
- Chhattisgarh during 27-30 October.
Wind speeds are forecast as:
- Gale winds at 60-70 kmph with gusts reaching a height of 80 kmph will commence from the evening of 26 October;
- From evening of 27 October onwards, winds at 80-90 kmph with maximum gusts touching 100 kmph are feared;
- Winds gusting over 100 kmph will be experienced near the storm center by morning of 28 October.
Storm surge warning:
A storm surge 1 m above the astronomical tide would inundate the low-lying areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam (Puducherry) during landfall.
🌀 Government Preparedness
Safety measures before the cyclone have been put into force in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
According to Nansikonda Manohar, the Minister of Civil Supplies of Andhra Pradesh, a very comprehensive preparedness plan is in place that includes:
Provision of essential commodities and fuel
Making arrangements for supply of paddies and food to shelters
Deployment of emergency response teams
Relief and rehabilitation measures following the cyclone
“We have taken proactive steps to ensure readiness before landfall,” said Manohar.
🌧 High Alert in Tamil Nadu and Odisha
The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, forecasted heavy rainfall along the coast over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry within the next 24 hours. Odisha had put all its 30 districts on alert till the time the system was moving northwards.
An alert has been declared for the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam.
Orange and Yellow Alerts: Several other Coastal Districts
Part very heavy and excessive rains have been forecasted for parts of Odisha of the 28th and 29th October.
🌦 Outlook for North and Northeast India
While the states on the eastern coast are bearing the brunt of the storm, light rains with thunderstorms are expected in Arunachal during 29-30 October. According to the IMD, on Monday most places shall remain partly cloudy and dry.
📡 Dally keep update
The latest update on Cyclone Montha will be carried live as long as the IMD continues to watch the storm track and issue fresh forecasts. This very page will be disseminating rainfall warnings, wind warnings, and disaster management steps in affected states the moment these become public.
