On Monday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that Cyclone Montha is most likely to move across the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam on the evening or night of October 28 “as a severe cyclonic storm.”
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What is Cyclone Montha?
Cyclone Montha, a tropical cyclonic system, started to develop in the Bay of Bengal in October 2025. Meteorologists from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) identified a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal that subsequently formed a deep depression and is expected to further intensify into a cyclonic storm called “Montha.”
The name “Montha” was assigned using the North Indian Ocean’s WMO naming list.
How did Cyclone Montha develop & what’s the projected path?
- On October 24, a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal became clearly visible and was predicted to strengthen into a cyclonic storm by October 27.
- Bulletins indicate that the system is heading toward India’s east coast in a west-northwest direction.
- The forecast track indicates that on the evening or night of October 28, landfall will occur along the Andhra Pradesh coast, specifically between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, close to Kakinada.
Cyclone Montha timing & landfall details
- By October 28, Cyclone Montha could develop into a powerful cyclonic storm, according to the IMD.
- Landfall window: October 28, evening or night, between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, close to Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
- At landfall, wind gusts of up to 110 km/h are predicted, with average speeds of 90 to 100 km/h.
Areas likely to be affected & severity
The hardest hit will be coastal Andhra and Yanam, as well as portions of neighboring states:
- Red alert, the highest level, is in effect for numerous districts in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
- In coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and coastal Karnataka, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall (115–210 mm in a 24-hour period) is anticipated.
- On October 28 and 29, some districts in Odisha will experience exceptionally high levels of rainfall.
- Sea conditions: extremely choppy to high seas, danger to ships, and flooding along the coast.
Cyclone Montha‘s impacts
- Strong winds that uproot trees, damage weak structures, and interfere with communications and power.
- High rainfall that increases the risk of landslides, flooding, water logging in low-lying areas, and runoff in hilly terrain.
- Storm surge/coastal inundation: Around the time of landfall, low-lying coastal zones may be inundated above astronomical tide.
- Life disruption: evacuations, the need for shelter, transportation disruptions, and agricultural disruptions (particularly in coastal and delta areas).
Preparation requirements: Local governments in Andhra and Odisha have already mobilized relief plans, relocated expectant mothers, and closed schools.
What’s the preparedness situation?
- As part of its pre-cyclone action plan, the Andhra Pradesh government has stocked up on fuel and PDS supplies, activated control rooms, and secured power and telecom continuity.
- A number of districts have sent out alerts about the closure of non-essential activities and schools.
- Public advisories: fishermen are cautioned not to go out to sea, and coastal residents are encouraged to monitor the situation for updates.
Why it matters / significance
- Cyclones over the Bay of Bengal typically cause a great deal of damage because of the low-lying terrain and densely populated coastal belts.
- Being ready is crucial: If a storm’s timing, surge, and rainfall coincide with vulnerable areas, even minor storms can cause major disruptions.
- Storms of this type usually produce a lot of rain over a wide area, and because of the late October timing, moisture levels are still high.
- It’s an opportunity to discuss health and safety topics with your Indian blog audience, including waterborne infections after flooding, stress and mental health during evacuation, infrastructure-driven health hazards, etc.
What to watch / updates
- For real-time changes in track and intensity, follow the official bulletins from IMD (as well as regional state meteorological centers)
- Pay attention to rainfall totals and wind warnings for specific districts, especially those that are on Red or orange alert.
- To determine the likelihood of coastal flooding, monitor sea conditions and tide forecasts.
- Always use “likely/expected” instead of “absolute” because atmospheric conditions can cause a slight shift in the actual landfall zone and timing.
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