Landfall Confirmed: Cyclone Montha Batters Coastal Andhra

CYCLONE MONTHA: LANDFALL ENGAGED - Coastal Andhra Braces for Peak Fury

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UPDATED :
Kolkata, India | Oct 28, 2025, 22:03 IST
3 Min read

Landfall Confirmed: Montha's Eye Nears Kakinada Region

The severe cyclonic storm Montha (meaning "fragrant flower" from the Thai nomenclature) officially began its landfall process along the Andhra Pradesh coast this evening. As of 9:30 PM IST, the cyclone is situated close to the coastal stretch, with its center expected to cross between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near the city of Kakinada, over the next few hours. Current IMD data places the severe storm just 50 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, moving at a pace of approximately 15 kmph.

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Peak Wind Speeds and Immediate Impact

Montha has maintained its predicted intensity, striking the coast with maximum sustained wind speeds of 90-100 kmph, featuring dangerous gusts up to 110 kmph. The immediate impact has been characterized by fierce winds that have already caused widespread disruption. The town of Machilipatnam has reported a complete disruption of power supply, with heavy winds damaging power lines and plunging several areas into darkness as the storm's eyewall effects began to be felt. The Konaseema region is also experiencing winds gusting up to 100 kmph.

Torrential Rainfall and High-Risk Flood Zones

Torrential rainfall is lashing coastal districts, including Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, Kakinada, and Konaseema. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is forecast to continue throughout the night and into tomorrow, posing a severe threat of flash floods and waterlogging. The IMD has warned that the storm surge—an abnormal rise of sea water—is a major concern, threatening to inundate low-lying coastal areas. Residents are being reminded that the combination of wind, rain, and storm surge represents an extremely dangerous period.

Massive Evacuation and Crisis Management by Authorities

In an impressive display of coordinated preparedness, the Andhra Pradesh government has successfully evacuated approximately 76,000 residents to relief camps across 22 districts. 7 key districts have a complete suspension of vehicular movement, including heavy vehicles on national highways, from 8:30 PM until 6:00 AM. State resources are fully deployed:

  • 488 control rooms are operational at the mandal level.
  • 1,447 earthmovers, 321 drones, and 1,040 chainsaws are on standby for post-cyclone clearance.
  • 6 crore alert messages have been disseminated to citizens.
  • 7,000+ personnel, including teams from the NDRF and SDRF, are actively engaged in rescue and relief efforts.

Economic Damage and Regional Disruption

The economic toll has begun to mount even before the system fully crosses. Initial reports from the Chief Minister's Office indicate that crops over a staggering 1.76 lakh hectares across several districts have already been submerged or destroyed. Furthermore, transportation across the East Coast and South Central Railway network remains severely hit, with over 120 train cancellations and a total of 160 trains affected, severely disrupting connectivity between major hubs like Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. Neighboring states like Odisha and Telangana remain on high alert for anticipated heavy rain and strong winds as the system moves inland.

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