Chandigarh, October 27, 2025: Cyclone Montha has begun to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, triggering heavy rain and strong winds across coastal Andhra Pradesh and parts of northern Tamil Nadu. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) confirmed that the cyclone is expected to make landfall near Kakinada on the evening or night of October 28.
APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain said the cyclone, moving at 18 km per hour, was located about 560 km off Visakhapatnam by Monday evening. “Coastal districts are witnessing rainfall accompanied by gales. The system will intensify further as it approaches land,” he said. The name Montha, derived from Thai, means “fragrant flower.”
Authorities across coastal districts have been placed on high alert. NTR district Collector G. Lakshmisha stated that all departments were coordinating closely, with 180 rehabilitation centres prepared and 24 drones deployed for real-time weather monitoring. Vijayawada Police Commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu said 42 drones were monitoring vulnerable zones and residents from 360 houses had been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
In Chittoor district, continuous rainfall over the past four days has disrupted road connectivity, with floodwaters from the Kushasthali river forcing officials to divert traffic between Nagari and nearby villages. Police have restricted access to riverbanks due to overflowing waters, while irrigation authorities released 1,000 cusecs of water from the Krishnapuram reservoir.
In Kakinada, rough sea conditions and high tides at Uppada coast caused concern among fishermen. Police evacuated residents from Uppada, Subbampet, Mayapatnam, and Suradapet as sea waves advanced inland, worsening coastal erosion. Tirupati district Collector S. Venkateshwar said five coastal mandals were expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. “Control rooms have been set up, and people have been advised to stay indoors unless necessary,” he added.
Residents have been urged to avoid open areas, trees, and electric poles. Pilgrims travelling to Tirumala have been asked to postpone their visits.
Meanwhile, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai reported heavy rainfall across four northern Tamil Nadu districts, including Chennai, as the cyclone lay about 480 km east of the city. RMC Director B. Amudha said the storm is expected to move north-northwest and cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inspected preparedness works in North Chennai and Tiruvallur, assuring that Tamil Nadu would not face major damage. The state’s Health Minister Ma Subramanian also chaired a review meeting to assess emergency measures.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast increased rainfall and wind intensity as Montha nears landfall, urging residents in coastal Andhra Pradesh to remain alert and adhere to government advisories.
