Andhra Pradesh on high alert as Cyclone Montha nears coast; rain alerts issued in Rajasthan, Maharashtra

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Andhra Pradesh on high alert as Cyclone Montha intensifies over the Bay of Bengal and moves rapidly towards the coast. The storm is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic system before making landfall near Kakinada on Tuesday, October 28, night, according to IMD and the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA).

Cyclone nearing coast; heavy rain and strong winds forecast

Officials said the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal moved northwest at a speed of 15 kmph during the last six hours and is now positioned around 620 km from Kakinada and 650 km from Visakhapatnam. Wind speeds are expected to reach between 90 and 110 kmph as the cyclone approaches the coastline.

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The IMD forecast predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall across several coastal districts from Monday evening. The APSDMA has urged residents not to be complacent despite the temporary calm, warning that the cyclone’s impact will intensify closer to landfall.

All beaches along the Andhra coast have been closed, and danger signal number one has been hoisted at ports. Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea as high tidal waves are expected.

Red alert for 16 Andhra districts; schools shut, relief teams deployed

The IMD has issued a red alert for 16 districts in Andhra Pradesh, including Kakinada, Konaseema, Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari, Bapatla, Prakasam and Nellore. An orange alert remains in effect for 16 other districts.

District authorities in Vizianagaram, Anakapalle, Krishna, Eluru and other coastal areas have declared a three-day holiday for schools and colleges from Monday. Rain and strong winds reaching 40 kmph have already been reported in several regions since morning.

Minister for Home and Disaster Management V. Anitha said the state government had taken all precautionary measures to safeguard lives and property. “Satellite phones have been distributed to ensure uninterrupted communication in vulnerable areas,” she said.

A total of 219 cyclone shelters have been opened in 57 coastal mandals. Nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and seven teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed across the districts.

Relief operations, funds released and emergency lines active

The government has cancelled all official leave and released Rs 19 crore for emergency and relief operations. Control rooms have been activated in all 12 coastal districts with emergency numbers 112, 1070 and 1800-425-0101.

State Civil Supplies Minister N. Manohar said a pre-cyclone action plan was already in place to ensure food, fuel, and medical supplies reach all affected areas. “We are fully prepared for both pre-cyclone readiness and post-cyclone relief operations,” he said in a statement.

Cyclone Montha’s impact spreads inland to Rajasthan and Maharashtra

The IMD said Cyclone Montha’s outer bands are also influencing weather conditions in other states. In Rajasthan, heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning has been recorded in several divisions, including Udaipur, Kota, Ajmer, Jaipur and Bharatpur.

Kota, Baran and Jhalawar witnessed heavy showers on Sunday, providing relief to farmers preparing for Rabi sowing, though some paddy crops have suffered damage.

In Maharashtra, the IMD has issued an orange alert for Dhule, Nandurbar and Nashik districts, forecasting thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph until Tuesday. Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected across parts of north Maharashtra.

IMD warns of widespread rain in eastern states

The IMD has also forecast heavy rainfall for Tamil Nadu, Odisha and West Bengal as the system moves northwestwards before recurving north. From Monday, south Bengal districts including Kolkata, Howrah, Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia are expected to receive moderate to heavy rain between October 27 and 31.

According to the IMD, the weather system may further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by early Tuesday morning before crossing the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada.