Cyclone Montha: Andhra & Odisha Brace for Impact

Cyclone Montha is poised to make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh by Tuesday evening, bringing with it heavy rain and strong winds that have already begun impacting several coastal districts in the state and southern Odisha.

Rough seas and rainfall were reported in Ganjam district, Odisha, while in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada, rain lashed the region due to the cyclone. Chennai and several parts of Tamil Nadu have also been witnessing downpours. The IMD forecasts moderate rain, along with thunderstorms and lightning, in areas including Chengalpattu, Chennai, and Kancheepuram in the next few hours.

IMD Hyderabad official GNRS Srinivasa Rao indicated that the cyclone could cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam later today. Numerous districts in Andhra Pradesh may experience severe weather conditions, prompting an orange alert in Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, and Mulugu, while other northeast districts remain on a yellow alert. In Aryapalli, Odisha, the Marine Police have provided shelter for fishing boats at Gopalpur Port.

To mitigate the cyclone's impact, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered immediate safety measures for coastal residents, emphasizing the importance of providing quality food, clean water, and housing in rehabilitation centres. Special officers will oversee these facilities to ensure their effective operation.