The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Wednesday that severe cyclonic storm Montha had weakened to a cyclonic storm after making landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast, causing heavy rain and strong winds in various coastal districts.
According to the IMD’s 2:30 a.m. update, the Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha over Andhra Pradesh moved northwestwards at a speed of 10 kmph and downgraded to a Cyclonic Storm.
The storm’s center was located approximately 20 km west-northwest of Narsapur, 50 km northeast of Machilipatnam, and 90 km west-southwest of Kakinada. Doppler radars at Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam are continuously monitoring its movement.
As projected, the storm lost intensity as it moved inland, resulting in heavy rainfall and strong winds in West Godavari, Krishna, and East Godavari districts, prompting flood warnings for low-lying areas.
Cyclone Montha had previously made landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, affecting the Andhra Pradesh and Yanan coasts. Coastal regions experienced intense rainfall and gale-force winds, causing tree uprooting and power disruptions in multiple districts.
Following the storm’s impact, Andhra Pradesh imposed a night curfew on vehicular movement in seven cyclone-affected districts to ensure public safety. Emergency medical services were exempted from the curfew, and residents were advised to stay indoors and adhere to safety guidelines.
Heavy rains affected flight and train operations in Andhra Pradesh, leading to flight cancellations at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati airports. Additionally, 120 trains were canceled in the South Central Railway Zone due to Cyclone Montha.
Neighboring Odisha also braced for the cyclone’s impact, with preparations in place to mitigate potential damages. The state government opened disaster relief centers, restricted tourist activities, and canceled leaves for government employees in anticipation of the cyclone’s effects.
The IMD issued rain warnings for several Odisha districts, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in specific regions. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw oversaw preparedness efforts for Cyclone Montha with railway officials to ensure passenger safety and coordination with local authorities.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed 45 rescue teams for relief operations in Andhra Pradesh, emphasizing preparedness and response measures as the cyclone affected the region.
The cyclone’s aftermath is expected to impact Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, with continued heavy rainfall predicted for the upcoming days.