Cyclone Montha Alert; IMD Issues Heavy Rainfall in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Chhattisgarh

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that a deep depression currently brewing over the southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm by Tuesday, named Cyclone Montha. The system is projected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall across several states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, coastal Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the next few days.

Cyclone Montha To Hit Andhra Pradesh on 28 October; IMD Issues Red Alert

By Tuesday, the cyclone is expected to intensify into a severe storm and approach Andhra Pradesh's coast by October 28. Five coastal districts; Kakinada, East Godavari, Konaseema, Eluru and West Godavari have been placed on high alert.

Evacuations from vulnerable coastal villages are already underway, with fishermen advised not to venture into the sea. As a preventive measure, schools across these districts will remain closed from October 27 to 31 due to the forecast of extremely heavy rainfall.

Schools Shut Today Due to Cyclone Montha

In West Godavari, schools and colleges will remain closed on October 27 and 28. Recreational activities at beaches and resorts have been suspended as part of the safety protocol. Similar closures have been enforced in Eluru, and telecom companies have been directed to deploy backup generators to ensure seamless network connectivity during potential power outages.

Odisha's Eight Districts in Red Zones: Heavy Rainfall Expected on Oct 28 and 29

In Odisha, the state government has identified eight districts as "red zones" due to their high vulnerability to the approaching cyclone. These districts-Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, and Kalahandi-are expected to witness extremely heavy rainfall on October 28 and 29, according to the state's Disaster Management.

IMD Issues Heavy Rainfall Alert For Chhattisgarh on 28 October

The IMD has also forecast extremely heavy rainfall of 21 cm or more at isolated locations over Chhattisgarh on October 28. The state has begun extensive preparations, including evacuation drives, shelter setup and positioning of disaster response teams, to minimise damage and ensure public safety.

Cyclone Montha Updates: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala Also on Alert

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) has issued a weather alert predicting heavy to very heavy rain and thundershowers, accompanied by 30-40 kmph winds, over Uttara Kannada district. Alerts have also been sounded for Ballari, Davanagere, Vijayanagara, Chitradurga, and Tumakuru districts.

Meanwhile, the IMD said that Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Coastal Karnataka will continue to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall until October 28, as Cyclone Montha moves northwestward. The impact of the cyclone will likely extend to Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh until October 30, it added.

Cyclone Montha's Impact on West Bengal

The weather department has also warned that Cyclone Montha will start influencing weather conditions in parts of southern West Bengal. Districts such as Kolkata, South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Howrah, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, and Hooghly are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall initially.

Between October 28 and 31, heavy rain is forecasted at one or two places across North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Howrah, Purulia, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, and Murshidabad, as per the IMD's latest bulletin.