Cyclone Montha Slams Eastern India; One Dead, Thousands Flee, But Is It Over Yet?

Cyclone Montha slammed into Andhra’s coast with 100 km/h winds, tearing through villages, flooding roads, and claiming one life. As the storm surges inland toward Odisha, thousands brace for its fury- will the devastation deepen overnight?

Kakinada: Cyclone Montha slammed into the eastern coast of India late Tuesday evening, unleashing ferocious winds and torrential rain across coastal Andhra Pradesh and parts of Odisha. The severe cyclonic storm made landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada, leaving behind a trail of destruction and disarray.

Landfall with Winds Crossing 100 km/h

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Montha made landfall as a severe cyclonic storm around 7:30 pm on Tuesday, with wind speeds reaching 100 km per hour. The landfall process lasted nearly four hours, pounding the coastal belt with intense rain and gale-force winds.

Cyclone Montha Batters Andhra Coast; Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Lash Multiple Indian States

In Andhra Pradesh, the impact was severe in East and West Godavari, Kakinada, and Krishna districts. A woman lost her life after a tree uprooted by the gusty winds crashed into her home. Across the region, hundreds of trees were uprooted, electricity poles snapped, and communication lines went down, throwing several coastal villages into darkness.

Odisha Feels the Outer Bands

Though the cyclone’s core hit Andhra Pradesh, its outer bands wreaked havoc across southern Odisha, particularly in Ganjam and Gajapati districts. Winds touching 100 km/h and relentless rainfall led to landslides and road blockages in hilly areas such as R Udayagiri, Parlakhemundi, Huma, and Kashipur.

No fatalities were reported in Odisha, but damage to infrastructure and transport links has been extensive. Authorities have launched clearance operations to reopen major roads and restore connectivity to remote villages cut off by landslides.

Cyclone to Retain Strength for Six Hours After Landfall

In its latest bulletin, the India Meteorological Department stated that Montha is expected to retain cyclonic storm intensity for six hours after crossing the coast. The system is projected to move inland, affecting interior Andhra Pradesh, south Odisha, south Chhattisgarh, and Telangana with heavy to very heavy rainfall.

The IMD forecast light to moderate rainfall at most places in Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) in isolated pockets till October 29. On October 30, the storm is likely to weaken, but north coastal Andhra Pradesh may still experience heavy rainfall at isolated locations.

Red Alert Across 19 Andhra Districts

In view of the severity of the storm, authorities have issued red alerts the highest level of weather warning for 19 districts across Andhra Pradesh. Schools and colleges have been shut, and disaster response teams are on standby.

In Uppada, Kakinada district, the sea turned turbulent, breaching embankments and flooding several homes. The Kakinada-Uppada coastal road has been sealed off after high waves tore up sections of the route.

UP: Rain alert in several districts due to Cyclone Montha; Temperature to drop

Mass Evacuations and Relief Efforts

More than 10,000 residents, primarily from fishing communities, were evacuated from 65 villages across 12 coastal mandals ahead of the landfall. Temporary shelters have been set up in schools and public buildings as thousands await the storm’s complete passage.

State disaster management teams, along with local police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are conducting rescue operations and restoring essential services in affected regions.

As Cyclone Montha moves inland, authorities remain on high alert, urging citizens to stay indoors and avoid coastal areas until weather conditions improve.