Cyclone Montha approaches Andhra coast, red alert issued for southern Odisha districts

Cyclone Montha is inching closer to the Andhra Pradesh coast and is expected to make landfall between Tuesday evening and midnight near Kakinada, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). 

Ahead of landfall, southern Odisha has begun experiencing the effects of the storm, with heavy rainfall and gusty winds reported in several districts.

The IMD has issued a red alert for southern Odisha districts, warning of intense rain and strong winds over the next 24 hours. Ganjam, Gajapati, and Malkangiri are already witnessing continuous downpour and squally weather. The system is likely to cause widespread rain in Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal, with wind speeds expected to reach 60–70 kmph in some areas.

District administrations have been placed on high alert, and around 140 disaster response teams have been deployed across the region. People in low-lying and vulnerable areas are being evacuated to cyclone shelters as a precautionary measure.

The Odisha government has reaffirmed its commitment to the ‘zero casualty’ mission and directed all agencies to remain on standby for immediate rescue and relief operations.

Meanwhile, weather conditions have changed across coastal Odisha as well, with light to moderate rain reported from Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Kendrapara.

Also Read: Cyclone Montha: Strong winds and continuous rainfall lash Kakinada ahead of landfall

Authorities have appealed to citizens to stay indoors, remain calm, and avoid spreading or believing rumours about the cyclone’s impact, urging everyone to follow official updates from the IMD and the Special Relief Commissioner’s office.

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