Cyclone Montha Nears Andhra Coast: NDRF Prepares for Impact

The looming threat of Cyclone Montha intensifying near the Andhra Coast has prompted the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to take immediate action. As the cyclone closes in on Tuesday night, 22 NDRF teams have been strategically deployed across the potentially impacted coastal districts of multiple states.

Specific allocations include 10 teams in Andhra Pradesh, six in Odisha, three in Tamil Nadu, two in Chhattisgarh, and one in Puducherry. In anticipation of possible emergencies, 20 additional teams stand ready for instant deployment. Each unit is equipped with boats, cutting gear, communication tools, and other essential rescue apparatuses, ensuring comprehensive coverage for evacuation, relief, and restoration tasks.

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Montha has intensified into a severe storm, with its eye centered over the west-central Bay of Bengal, south-southeast of Machilipatnam. With forecasted wind speeds reaching up to 110 kmph, the cyclone is on track to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada on Tuesday evening or night.

In a related development, Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi convened a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, to appraise the state's cyclone readiness. Key officials, including ministers and disaster management experts, participated in the strategy session. Meanwhile, in anticipation of landfall, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has instructed state officials to enforce immediate protective measures for coastal inhabitants.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha are already experiencing significant rainfall, while Chennai, Tamil Nadu, reports moderate showers accompanied by thunderstorms. With heavy rainfall affecting the eastern coastline, efforts focus on synchronizing state responses to mitigate Cyclone Montha’s potential impact.