Cyclone Montha weakened into a Deep Depression after landfall near Kakinada on Tuesday night. However, it disrupted normal life in coastal Andhra Pradesh, causing power outages, transport disruption, and enormous damage to standing crops across Andhra Pradesh, according to the latest weather report by IMD on Montha cyclone. As per the government report, two people lost their lives.
Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu said that the government restored 80% of the electricity supply in the affected mandals and will reconnect the remaining homes within hours. He reviewed cyclone relief measures with district officials at the Amalapuram Collectorate.
Power restoration is in full swing in Montha-hit areas
The minister said strong winds uprooted about 300 electricity poles and impacted 54 substations in cyclone-affected areas. “Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu instructed officials to prioritise electricity restoration for all households. We mobilised manpower from Ramachandrapuram, Rajamahendravaram, and Mummidivaram to speed up repairs,” he said.
Roads cleared, 100% APSRTC services to resume operations
Cyclone Montha uprooted trees across 134 km of roads, disrupting vehicular movement on Tuesday. However, the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department cleared blockages overnight. APSRTC bus services resumed fully today.
AP government announces financial aid
The State government has set up 400 rehabilitation centres that sheltered 10,150 people. Families affected by Cyclone Montha will receive ₹3,000 financial assistance, while individuals will get ₹1,000. The minister directed officials to distribute aid when the people at the relief shelters move back to their homes on Wednesday evening.
He also announced 50 kg of free rice for each fisherman and handloom worker family who lost their livelihood during the cyclone.
Trail of destruction in aftermath of Cyclone Montha’s landfall
Cyclone Montha has caused severe agricultural losses in Andhra Pradesh, destroying nearly 43,000 hectares of standing crops after making landfall near Kakinada on Tuesday evening. Wind speeds reached 90–100 kmph during landfall, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Paddy, banana, and horticulture crops are severely hit, among others. The cyclone struck at a crucial stage of the harvest season, flattening paddy fields across Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, Bapatla, and Nellore districts. Banana and coconut plantations were uprooted in several mandals, and vegetable crops suffered extensive damage due to flooding.
District agriculture officers began field inspections and preliminary assessments early today. Farmers have urged the State government to announce immediate relief, as many have lost crops and investments due to the montha toofan.
West Godavari, Eluru and Konaseema records highest rainfall
West Godavari received the highest cumulative rainfall with 7.22 mm on October 26, 43.2 mm on October 27, and a massive 195.49 mm on October 28. Eluru followed with 4.31 mm, 32.18 mm, and 172.15 mm across these days, while Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema experienced 8.57 mm, 42 mm, and 154.55 mm. East Godavari recorded 7.68 mm, 28.9 mm, and 135.52 mm. Alluri Sitarama Raju saw 3.72 mm on October 26, 14.25 mm on October 27, and 139.02 mm on October 28. Kakinada accumulated 7.42 mm, 28.63 mm, and 104.11 mm over the same period.
Krishna received 1.76 mm, 40.55 mm, and 91.61 mm on these days. Bapatla’s totals were 1.53 mm, 34.26 mm, and 72.65 mm. Srikakulam saw 7.4 mm, 61.01 mm, and 88.37 mm of rainfall. Prakasam got 4.7 mm on October 26, 44.02 mm on October 27, and 31.38 mm on October 28.
These figures highlight how several coastal and adjacent districts faced extremely heavy rainfall during Cyclone Montha, with rainfall peaking on October 28 and West Godavari experiencing the heaviest spell among all districts.
IMD issues rainfall alert to AP
According to the IMD alert, Cyclone Montha moved north-northwest at 15 kmph and weakened into a deep depression over Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Telangana near 17.3°N & 81.2°E. It is likely to weaken further into a depression in the next six hours.
As per the latest updates on Montha, IMD said light to moderate rainfall will continue across Andhra Pradesh today, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely at isolated locations. Some districts may receive extremely heavy rainfall of more than 20 cm. The weather department warned of waterlogging, flooding of agricultural fields, and possible breaches in canal bunds, especially in the Godavari belt.
Odisha escapes major damage
Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the State escaped major damage as Cyclone Montha moved inland. Only minor landslides and uprooted trees were reported in some districts. Precautionary measures remain in force as the system moves northward.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 26 teams in cyclone-affected states, including 12 in Andhra Pradesh, six in Odisha, and three in northern Tamil Nadu. Additional personnel are stationed in Telangana and Chhattisgarh to handle possible flood-related emergencies.
Union Health Ministry on alert
The Union Health Ministry reviewed medical preparedness in cyclone-hit states. It assured emergency medical teams, mobile health units, and essential medicines to support rescue operations in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
The Andhra Pradesh agriculture department is expected to release a detailed crop loss report soon. Government sources indicated that compensation guidelines will be issued after joint inspections with revenue and horticulture officials.
