Cyclone Montha reached near Kakinada, Costal Districts on high alert. To know, “Is it a government or bank holiday today or tomorrow?” visit our homepage.

Cyclone Montha nears Kakinada

Cyclone Montha, which formed in the Bay of Bengal, is moving rapidly towards the Andhra Pradesh coast and is likely to intensify into a severe cyclone before making landfall near Kakinada on Tuesday night, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) officials said on Monday.

All nearby Coastal districts have been put on high alert, with heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds of up to 110 kmph predicted. The APSDMA has set up a state-level control room with helpline numbers 112, 1070, and 1800-425-0101. Control rooms have also been set up in the collectorates of the 12 coastal districts.

According to the APSDMA, the deep depression intensified into a cyclonic storm on Monday morning. APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain said the cyclone has moved at a speed of 15 kmph over the past six hours and is currently about 560 km from Chennai, 620 km from Kakinada, and 650 km from Visakhapatnam. 

Government’s actions as Cyclone Montha nears Kakinada

The government has cancelled all official holidays as Cyclone Montha nears Kakinada and released ₹19 crore for relief work. A total of 219 cyclone shelters have been opened in 57 coastal divisions. Nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and seven teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in coastal districts. As the cyclone approaches the coast, its impact is expected to increase. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that it could intensify into a severe cyclone by Tuesday morning and cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada on Tuesday night.

Gusty winds with speeds of 90-110 kmph are expected in coastal areas. The APSDMA has warned people not to take the calm weather lightly and urged them to remain vigilant.

Due to the possibility of high waves, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. All coastal activities have been halted, and beaches have been closed to tourists. Danger signal number 1 has been hoisted at all ports. 

Home and Disaster Management Minister V. Anitha stated that the government has already taken steps to prevent loss of life and property from the cyclone.Because the cyclone could disrupt communication networks, the government has provided satellite phones to districts likely to be affected. Departments such as irrigation, civil supplies, health, and electricity have been prepared for relief operations.

The IMD issued a red alert for seven districts as Cyclone Montha nears Kakinada on Monday, an orange alert for 16 districts, and a yellow alert for three districts. For Tuesday, a red alert has been issued for 16 districts. Officials in Vizianagaram, Anakapalle, Krishna, NTR, West Godavari, East Godavari, and Eluru districts have declared a three-day holiday for all educational institutions starting Monday. Rain and winds of up to 40 kmph have been lashing these districts since morning.

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