Wind speeds touching 110 kmph batter coastal districts as vehicular movement halts, trains and flights remain suspended; authorities on high alert to safeguard lives and infrastructure.
Andhra Pradesh / Odisha, Oct 28:The landfall process of Cyclone Montha, classified as a severe cyclonic storm, began on Tuesday evening along the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, bringing widespread devastation, torrential rains, and powerful winds across the region. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm, packing wind speeds of 80–90 kmph gusting up to 110 kmph, will continue to lash coastal areas for three to four hours.
Authorities reported extensive damage in eight southern Odisha districts Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur where heavy rainfall triggered landslides and uprooted trees. In Andhra Pradesh, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said preliminary estimates show crop losses in over 1.76 lakh hectares, including horticulture and standing crops, as heavy rains inundated farmlands.
With over 120 trains cancelled and several flights grounded, vehicular movement has been suspended in seven Andhra districts Krishna, Eluru, East and West Godavari, Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, and parts of Alluri Sitarama Raju until Wednesday morning.
Minister Nara Lokesh emphasized that “the government’s top priority is to protect every life,” as more than 800 relief centers were activated and NDRF teams deployed for rescue operations.
As Cyclone Montha continues inland, the IMD warns of heavy rainfall in north coastal Andhra and south Odisha in the next 24 hours, urging residents to remain indoors and follow official advisories.
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