New Delhi: Cyclone Montha wreaked havoc on the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night. It made landfall as a severe cyclonic storm, with strong winds and heavy rains disrupting life in several states.
Storm Speed and Landfall Location
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone made landfall near Kakinada, between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam. At that time, the wind speed was between 90 and 110 kilometers per hour.
The strong winds caused high waves in the sea, uprooted many trees and electricity poles, and disrupted power and communication systems in coastal areas.
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Casualties and Damage
A tragic incident occurred in Andhra Pradesh’s Konaseema district—an elderly woman died when a tree, uprooted by strong winds, fell on her house.
In the same area, a boy and an auto driver were injured when coconut trees fell. The local administration has immediately started relief work, and people are being moved to safer places.
The Name ‘Montha’ and Its Meaning
Interestingly, the name “Montha” is derived from the Thai language, meaning “fragrant flower.” But this time, the name proved to be the exact opposite of its meaning, as the storm spread the scent of destruction.
The Storm’s Impact Reached Several States
This cyclone was not limited to Andhra Pradesh alone. Its effects extended to Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Saurashtra-Kutch, Vidarbha, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. Normal life was affected in 15 districts of Odisha.
Power supply was disrupted, and trees were uprooted in many places. Warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall have been issued. In addition, heavy rain and strong winds are also expected in Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa. Wind Speeds and Warnings
According to the IMD: Winds may reach speeds of 40–60 km/h in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Vidarbha, and Kerala. Wind speeds may be 30–40 km/h in Karnataka, Odisha, Jharkhand, and the coastal areas of West Bengal.
Winds may reach up to 75 km/h along the North Andhra coast.
Warning for Fishermen and Relief Agencies
The Meteorological Department has strictly advised fishermen not to venture into the sea, as the waves are very high. The sea remains extremely rough along the coastal areas of Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Disaster management agencies have been put on alert, and relief teams have been deployed.
The Impact of Cyclone Montha Extends Beyond the Coast
Cyclone Montha has once again proven that cyclones are not limited to coastal states but also affect states in eastern and central India. Heavy rainfall and strong winds are likely to continue for the next two days.