Cyclone Montha Wreaks Havoc in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha

Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha struck the Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday, bringing chaos to the region and affecting the neighboring state of Odisha. The cyclonic system, first touching down around 7 pm, wrought havoc with winds reaching speeds of up to 110 kmph, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Tragedies unfolded as a woman in Konaseema district lost her life due to an uprooted palmyra tree. The tempest submerged crops spread over 38,000 hectares in Andhra Pradesh, necessitating the evacuation of about 76,000 residents to relief camps. Furthermore, Indian Railways and local flights suffered extensive cancellations to mitigate risks.

Odisha, too, faced Montha's wrath, with extensive rainfall leading to landslides, damaged homes, and obstructed roads. The state government has taken preemptive measures, installing 2,000 cyclone shelters and coordinating with 153 rescue teams to prioritize citizen safety and achieve a 'Zero Casualty' outcome.