The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and turbulent sea conditions along India’s eastern coastline — stretching from Odisha to Tamil Nadu — over the next two days due to a developing cyclonic system over the Bay of Bengal.
Once the system intensifies, it will be named Cyclone Montha, marking the first cyclone of the year expected to make landfall over the Indian mainland. Earlier this month, Cyclone Shakti formed in the Arabian Sea near the Gujarat coast but later moved away without making landfall.
Intense Rainfall Alerts Across Southern States
The IMD has predicted very heavy rainfall (115–210 mm in 24 hours) in Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mahe, and coastal Karnataka through Tuesday. Heavy showers are also expected across coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and southern Odisha until October 30.
As per the latest satellite observations, the deep depression is currently located over the southeast Bay of Bengal, roughly 620 km west of Port Blair, 780 km east-southeast of Chennai, 830 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 830 km southeast of Kakinada, and 930 km south-southeast of Gopalpur.
According to the IMD, the weather system is likely to move northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday.
Red and Orange Alerts Issued
A red alert has been declared for Monday across several districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh — including Kakinada, Konaseema, West Godavari, Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, and SPSR Nellore. Heavy rainfall is also expected in north Tamil Nadu’s Thiruvallur and southern Odisha districts such as Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Balangir, Kandhamal, and Ganjam, where an orange alert is in place.
By Tuesday, the cyclone is projected to strengthen into a severe storm and approach the Andhra Pradesh coastline near Kakinada by the evening or late night. It is expected to cross between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam during its northwesterly to northerly movement.
A red alert has also been issued for Tuesday across districts including Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari, Eluru, Konaseema, Guntur, Krishna, and Bapatla.
Andhra Pradesh Gears Up for Cyclone Impact
The Andhra Pradesh government has conducted a comprehensive preparedness and review meeting with coastal district collectors. Emergency funds have been disbursed to 11 districts, while eight NDRF and nine SDRF teams are on standby for rescue operations.
Authorities have declared holidays for schools and colleges until Wednesday, while fishing activities and beach tourism have been suspended as a precaution. In anticipation of potential health emergencies, mobile hospitals and medical camps are being set up across the affected coastal zones, starting with Kakinada.
Historical Cyclones in October
Andhra Pradesh has a history of severe cyclones striking during October. Notable examples include Cyclone Titli (2018), which made landfall near Palasa in Srikakulam; Cyclone Kyant (2016), which weakened near the coast; Hudhud (2014), which struck Visakhapatnam; and Cyclone Ogni (2006), which crossed between Ongole and Machilipatnam.
