National: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a cyclone alert for the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and adjoining South Odisha as Cyclonic Storm ‘Montha’ continues to strengthen over the southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. The storm is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28, prompting preparations across coastal districts.
According to the IMD’s 4 AM update, Cyclone Montha (pronounced Mon-Tha) was positioned near latitude 11.7°N and longitude 85.5°E, around 600 km east-southeast of Chennai, 680 km south-southeast of Kakinada, and 710 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam. The system has been moving west-northwestwards at approximately 16 kmph and is forecast to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, close to Kakinada, on the evening or night of October 28. At the time of landfall, wind speeds are expected to reach 90–100 kmph, with gusts up to 110 kmph.
The approaching cyclone is likely to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to several coastal states. Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are expected to receive heavy showers on October 27 and 28, while rainfall intensity is set to increase sharply across Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on October 28, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm. Southern districts of Odisha are also likely to witness very heavy to extremely heavy rain on October 28 and 29. After landfall, the system is expected to travel inland, causing moderate to heavy rain in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar over the following days.
The IMD has clarified that the cyclone will have no direct impact on the Northeastern region. As the system weakens while moving across central and eastern India, parts of southern Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura may experience light to moderate rain or thundershowers between October 29 and 30 due to moisture carried from the remnants of the storm. The department has stated that no heavy rainfall or strong wind-related hazards are expected in Assam or the broader Northeast at this stage, though weather conditions will continue to be monitored for any potential secondary effects.
