Andhra Pradesh braces for Cyclone Montha as the severe cyclonic system advances towards the coast at 15 kmph, an IMD alert read. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for several coastal districts, forecasting extreme weather in AP over the next 24 hours.
Watch the live broadcast of Cyclone Montha’s landfall from the Kakinada Coast
According to the latest IMD alert, the Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal has moved northwestwards at 15 kmph in the past six hours. It is now located 60 km southeast of Machilipatnam, 140 km southeast of Kakinada, and 240 km from Visakhapatnam.
Coastal districts brace for severe impact
The IMD said Cyclone Montha is likely to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada on Tuesday night. Winds are expected to intensify to 90–110 kmph, posing a severe threat to low-lying coastal areas. The State government and IMD have put all coastal districts on high alert. The authorities also issued warning no. 10 at Kakinada Port following IMD alert over gusty winds and heavy rainfall.
AP red alert: Disaster response intensified
Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting on preparedness. He instructed officials to keep communication lines active and warned of possible power outages and road blockages. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured complete central support.
Minister for HRD, IT, and RTG, Nara Lokesh, is monitoring relief operations from the RTGS control room in Amaravati.
Transport hit badly – Trains and flights cancelled
Due to Cyclone Montha affecting AP, Authorities have cancelled over 120 trains in the East Coast Railway and South Central Railway zones. They have also suspended all flights from Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam Airports. Officials have advised fishermen to stay away from the sea. Ports in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry have hoisted danger signals.
Chennai is on orange alert
Chennai recorded moderate to heavy rainfall with Signal no. 4 hoisted in Chennai, Ennore and Kattupalli ports. Flood gates in city reservoirs have been opened after 19 cm of rainfall in the catchment areas.
