Cyclone ‘Montha’ – Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has placed the state on high alert as the deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to become a cyclonic storm by Monday morning, with heavy rains forecast for coastal areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red and orange alerts for 23 out of the state’s 26 districts, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding and disruptions. This is the first major cyclonic storm of the season in the Bay of Bengal, named ‘Montha’ after a suggestion from Thailand, meaning “fragrant flower.”
As dark clouds gather over the horizon, families in coastal villages from Srikakulam to Tirupati are stocking up on essentials and moving to safer spots. Fishermen have been urged to stay away from the sea, and schools in many districts are closed until Wednesday. The storm’s path points straight to the Andhra coast, with landfall expected near Kakinada on Tuesday evening. “We cannot take any chances. Every official, from the village level to the state level, must be ready to act fast,” said CM Naidu during a video call with district collectors on Sunday.
The deep depression, which formed on Saturday, has already brought scattered showers to parts of the state. In Prathipadu, Kakinada district, over 79 mm of rain fell in just a few hours on Sunday night. Winds are picking up, reaching 45-55 kmph along the coast, and the sea is turning rough. As the system moves northwest at about 10-16 kmph, it could strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm with winds up to 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph by Tuesday.
How Cyclone Montha Formed and Why It’s a Worry Now
Cyclones like Montha start as low-pressure areas over warm ocean waters. The Bay of Bengal, with its sea surface temperatures around 30-31°C, provides the fuel for these storms to grow. This one began as a well-marked low-pressure system on Friday, about 460 km west-southwest of Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. By Sunday morning, it had turned into a deep depression, centered roughly 600 km east-southeast of Chennai and 680 km south-southeast of Kakinada.
IMD scientists say the storm is moving steadily toward the coast, fed by moist winds from the northeast monsoon. “The conditions are right for quick growth. Warm waters and low wind shear mean it could pack a punch when it hits land,” explained S. Karunasagar, a senior IMD officer in Amaravati. Unlike some cyclones that fizzle out, Montha is expected to hold its strength until landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, right around Kakinada.
This isn’t just any storm. It’s the third severe cyclonic event to eye Andhra Pradesh in recent years, after Asani in 2022 and Michaung in 2023. Back in 2023, Cyclone Hamoon (often misspelled as Monthi in some reports) hit Bangladesh hard, causing floods and evacuations, but its weaker bands reached parts of Andhra with heavy rains. Montha could be similar or worse, with rainfall up to 20 cm in 24 hours in some spots, leading to river swells and urban waterlogging.
Alerts Across the State: Which Districts Face the Worst?
The IMD’s color-coded warnings paint a clear picture of the danger. Red alerts mean “take action now” – expect extremely heavy rain over 20 cm a day, flash floods, and landslides in hilly areas. These cover seven key coastal districts: SPSR Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, and Kakinada. Orange alerts, signaling “be prepared,” hit another 16 districts, including Guntur, Eluru, East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Anakapalli, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anantapur, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, Nandyal, Kurnool, NTR, and Palnadu.
In Kakinada, the epicenter of worry, district officials are evacuating low-lying villages along the Godavari delta. “We’ve identified 50 vulnerable spots and are moving people to 200 cyclone shelters stocked with food and water,” said Kakinada Collector Lavanya. Prakasam district saw fishermen pulling boats ashore with tractors on Sunday evening, a scene repeated from Ongole to Nellore beaches.
Inland areas aren’t safe either. Rayalaseema regions like Anantapur and Kurnool could see heavy downpours triggering floods in the Pennar River basin. The state has three districts out of alerts – likely the far northern or western ones like Parvathipuram Manyam – but even they might get scattered showers.
Schools and colleges in red and orange districts are shut from Monday to Wednesday, giving parents time to prepare. Ports at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada have suspended operations, and trains may face delays if tracks flood.
Government’s Quick Moves: Evacuations, Teams, and Supplies
Andhra Pradesh isn’t waiting around. CM Naidu’s Sunday teleconference set the tone: “The cyclone’s reach could go from Srikakulam to Tirupati. Expect 80-100 mm rains and winds up to 110 kmph. No room for mistakes.” He ordered non-stop power, telecom, and water supply, with quick fixes for any damage.
Nine State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are deployed across coastal belts. Special officers from the IAS cadre are overseeing each district, with control rooms running 24/7. In Bapatla, Collector V. Vinod Kumar reviewed shelters and boat safety in a morning meeting.
Evacuations have started in high-risk spots. Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand told collectors to shift people from vulnerable villages without delay. “We’ve stocked rice, milk, vegetables, and candles in every mandal. Drinking water tankers are ready,” said Civil Supplies Minister N. Manohar. Hospital-on-wheels are parked in Kakinada, and irrigation officials are watching reservoirs like Godavari and Krishna for controlled releases.
The Indian Coast Guard has already guided 985 fishing boats back to shore from Tamil Nadu, Andhra, and Puducherry waters. “Stay calm, but follow orders. Our teams are on standby,” urged Home Minister V. Sridhar Reddy in a review meeting.
Alerts are blasting via SMS, WhatsApp, social media, and village loudspeakers. “Real-time info from fields to state HQ – that’s key,” Naidu stressed.
What to Expect: Rains, Winds, and Flood Risks
When Montha hits, it won’t be gentle. IMD predicts very rough seas off Andhra and Yanam coasts from Monday, turning high by Tuesday evening. Squally winds of 45-65 kmph start today, building to storm force near landfall.
Rainfall is the big threat. Coastal Andhra could see 100-200 mm daily, with isolated spots over 250 mm by Wednesday. This means flash floods in urban areas like Vijayawada and Guntur, where drains often overflow. Rivers like Budameru in Krishna district might swell, repeating 2023’s Michaung woes that flooded homes and roads.
Storm surges – walls of water pushed by winds – could raise sea levels by 1-2 meters near Kakinada, flooding beaches and creeks. Power outages are likely as trees snap lines, and roads may close if bridges wash out. “Localized flooding will hit hardest in delta areas. People near rivers, stay alert,” warned IMD’s latest bulletin.
Beyond Andhra, the ripple effects reach Odisha’s southern districts like Ganjam and Gajapati with heavy rains till October 29. Tamil Nadu’s north, including Chennai, has an orange alert for 12-20 cm rains on Monday. Even Telangana and Chhattisgarh might see showers from October 27-30.
Voices from the Ground: Fear, Prep, and Hope
In a small fishing hamlet near Machilipatnam, 55-year-old Subba Rao ties down his nets. “We’ve seen cyclones before, but this one feels bigger. My sons helped move the boat yesterday. Now, we’re heading to the shelter with rice and kerosene,” he told our reporter over the phone. His family of six plans to stay put until the winds die down.
Up in Vijayawada, shopkeeper Lakshmi Devi is boarding up her store. “Last time, water reached knee-deep. I’m not risking it. Government gave us sandbags – that’s a help.” She’s grateful for the early warnings but worries about crop losses in nearby fields.
Odisha’s Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari echoed the sentiment: “Fifteen districts here will feel the outer bands. We’ve evacuated vulnerable spots and deployed 128 teams. No black marketing of essentials – strict action.” In Tamil Nadu, CM M.K. Stalin inspected Chennai’s storm drains, saying, “We’re ready with pumps and relief kits. Outer rains won’t catch us off guard.”
Experts like climate researcher Dr. Anna Rao from IITM Pune point to bigger patterns. “Warm oceans from climate change are making these storms stronger and wetter. Andhra’s coasts need better mangroves and early warning tech.” She compares it to Hamoon’s 2023 path, which spared Andhra the core but dumped rains anyway – Montha might not be so kind.
Tips for Families: Stay Safe Amid the Storm
Simple steps can save lives. Stock three days’ food – rice, dal, canned veggies – and fill water buckets. Charge phones and keep a battery radio for updates. Avoid rivers and seas; if flooding starts, move to higher ground fast. “Don’t wait for orders – if water rises, go to a shelter,” advises SDRF trainer Ravi Kumar.
For farmers, cover crops with tarps and shift livestock inland. Urban folks: Clear gutters and park cars away from trees. Helplines like 1077 (toll-free) and district control rooms are open round-the-clock.
Looking Back: Lessons from Past Storms
Andhra knows cyclones well. Michaung in December 2023 killed 14 and flooded Vijayawada for days, costing over ₹5,000 crore. Asani in 2022 skimmed the coast but brought 100 mm rains. Hamoon (2023) hit Bangladesh but sent bands that closed ports here. Each taught better evacuations and quicker relief.
This time, with better satellites and apps, warnings reach faster. But as Naidu said, “Past pains make us stronger. Let’s protect every life.”
As Montha brews, Andhra holds its breath. Updates will roll in – stay tuned to IMD and local news. Safety first, folks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is Cyclone Montha, and when will it hit land?
A: Cyclone Montha is the season’s first cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal, named by Thailand. It formed from a deep depression and is moving northwest. IMD says it will intensify into a severe storm by Tuesday morning (October 28) and make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada that evening or night, with winds of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph. This path puts coastal Andhra in the direct line, but outer effects could reach inland up to 100 km.
Q2: Which districts in Andhra Pradesh are under red alert, and what does that mean?
A: Red alerts are for seven districts: SPSR Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, and Kakinada. It means extremely heavy rain (over 20 cm in 24 hours), high risk of flash floods, landslides, and river overflows. People should not travel, evacuate if told, and stay indoors. Orange alerts cover 16 more districts like Guntur and Visakhapatnam, meaning heavy rain (7-20 cm) – prepare by stocking supplies and monitoring rivers.
Q3: What preparations is the Andhra government taking for Cyclone Montha?
A: CM Naidu has alerted all 26 districts, deployed 9 SDRF and 7 NDRF teams, and set up control rooms. Evacuations from low-lying areas are underway, shelters have food and water for thousands, and essentials like rice and milk are stocked. Power and water lines are secured, roads monitored, and fishermen warned off the sea till October 30. Schools are closed till Wednesday, and ports shut. IAS officers oversee districts for quick response.
Q4: How will Cyclone Montha affect daily life and travel in Andhra Pradesh?
A: Expect heavy disruptions. Rains could flood roads and homes, causing power cuts and telecom glitches. Trains and buses may halt if tracks or routes flood; check IRCTC or APSRTC apps. Flights from Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam airports might delay due to winds. Ports like Kakinada are closed, hitting cargo. Farmers face crop damage – paddy fields in deltas could drown. Stay home if possible; use 1077 for emergencies.
Q5: Is this cyclone linked to climate change, and how does it compare to past ones?
A: Yes, warmer Bay waters from climate change make storms like Montha wetter and stronger. It’s like Michaung (2023), which flooded Vijayawada with 400 mm rain, or Hamoon (2023), which brought bands to Andhra after hitting Bangladesh. Montha might drop similar 100-200 mm, but better warnings mean fewer surprises. Long-term, experts call for more coastal forests to buffer surges.
Q6: What should residents do to stay safe during the cyclone?
A: Stock non-perishables, water, medicines, and torches for 3 days. Secure loose items outside, like sheds or signs. If in a low area, head to a shelter early – don’t wait for floods. Avoid rivers, electric poles, and driving through water. Listen to radio or All India Radio for IMD updates. After the storm, check for gas leaks or damaged wires before entering homes. Kids and elders first – keep calm and follow local alerts via WhatsApp or sirens.