Cyclone Montha set to intensify into severe storm; Andhra Pradesh on high alert as rains lash coastal districts

Amaravati, Oct 2025 : Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds lashed several parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh on Monday as Cyclone Montha moved closer to the coast, prompting the government to place the entire region on high alert. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and state disaster authorities, the cyclone is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning before making landfall between Machilipatnam and Kakinada in the evening or night. The system is likely to affect 1,419 villages across 233 mandals and 44 towns, officials said.

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) warned that extremely heavy rainfall and strong gales with speeds of 90–110 kmph are likely along the coast. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, and people living in vulnerable coastal areas are being evacuated to relief camps.

APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain said on Monday night that Cyclone Montha, positioned over the west-central Bay of Bengal, was located 420 km from Chennai, 500 km from Visakhapatnam, and 450 km from Kakinada, moving northwestward at a speed of 15 kmph during the past six hours. The system is expected to intensify further before crossing the Andhra coast on Tuesday evening or night.

Authorities anticipate extremely heavy rainfall in some regions and very heavy rainfall from Srikakulam to Nellore, with moderate rainfall expected across parts of Rayalaseema. Over 2,194 relief camps have been opened, and the administration is prepared to relocate people from vulnerable zones as needed. Special arrangements have been made for 3,465 pregnant women and nursing mothers.

A total of 558 control rooms have been activated, including one at the state level, 19 in districts, and 54 in revenue divisions. For uninterrupted communication, 16 satellite phones and 35 DMR sets have been deployed. Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea as conditions remain extremely rough, and high tidal waves are expected. All beaches have been closed for tourists, and danger signal number one has been hoisted at all ports.

As a precaution, South Central Railway and East Coast Railway have cancelled over 100 trains scheduled over the next two days. Additionally, 11 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 12 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed across coastal districts to assist in evacuation and relief efforts.

By Monday evening, the cyclone’s impact was already visible, with moderate to heavy rains and gusty winds sweeping parts of the coast. In Visakhapatnam district, Visakhapatnam Rural recorded 92.5 mm of rainfall, followed by Kapuluppada (85.5 mm), Madhurawada (83.5 mm), and Seethamadhara (81.2 mm). As many as 73 locations recorded over 50 mm of rainfall by 8 p.m.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation through the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) Centre at the State Secretariat, asserting that the administration was fully prepared to tackle any emergency. He instructed district collectors and SPs to complete the evacuation of residents from low-lying and coastal areas immediately and ensure no loss of life.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Chief Minister Naidu to review the situation, assuring the Centre’s full support and assistance to Andhra Pradesh during the cyclone.

Naidu emphasized that restoration teams equipped with machinery are ready to restore power, repair roads, clear fallen trees, and reopen blocked drainage systems. He directed officials to monitor the cyclone’s movement hour-by-hour and implement zero-risk measures, especially in low-lying coastal habitations.

He also appealed to citizens to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow government advisories until conditions normalize.

Minister for Real Time Governance Nara Lokesh is coordinating inter-departmental response, communication systems, and district-level readiness from the RTGS war room to ensure rapid, unified action as Cyclone Montha approaches the Andhra coast.