Cyclone Montha Set to Strike Andhra Coast by Oct 28, IMD Issues Red Alerts

As per the IMD’s latest bulletins, Cyclone Montha is rapidly intensifying and moving west-northwestward. Originating as a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal, the system is forecast to evolve into a severe cyclonic storm before landfall. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, especially areas between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, is bracing for impact. Authorities have initiated evacuations, closed schools, and deployed disaster response teams. Meanwhile, a separate depression over the Arabian Sea is moving westward, posing no immediate threat to the Indian mainland.

Key developments

• Cyclone Montha to make landfall near Kakinada on October 28 evening  
• IMD issues red alerts for 13 Andhra Pradesh districts; orange alerts in Odisha and Tamil Nadu  
• Expected wind speeds: 90–100 km/h, gusting up to 110 km/h  
• Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall likely in coastal Andhra and parts of Odisha  
• Evacuation and relief operations underway in vulnerable coastal areas  
• Arabian Sea depression moving west, away from India’s coast  

Residents are advised to follow official advisories and avoid coastal areas during the storm period.

Sources: Outlook India, Times Now, Times of India.