Cyclone Montha Wreaks Havoc in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha

Cyclone Montha made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday evening, leaving widespread disruption in its wake. The states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha faced the brunt of the storm, dealing with uprooted trees, damaged crops, and disrupted transportation. Normalcy was severely affected in several districts, authorities reported.

The cyclone, characterized by wind speeds reaching up to 110 kmph, forced the evacuation of nearly 76,000 residents in Andhra Pradesh to relief camps. In the wake of the storm, authorities established numerous medical camps and ensured provisions for animal fodder. Despite these efforts, damage to agriculture was extensive, with over 38,000 hectares of standing crops and 1.38 lakh hectares of horticultural land destroyed.

In Odisha, Montha unleashed heavy rains causing landslides, obstructing roads, and damaging homes across 15 districts. The administration closely monitored the situation, implementing measures to achieve a 'Zero Casualty' goal, including the preparation of over 2,000 cyclone shelters and deployment of 153 rescue teams. Preventative actions included the closure of schools and sealing of beaches as a safety precaution.