Cyclone Montha forms over Bay of Bengal; IMD issues red, orange alerts across Andhra and Odisha

Chennai: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its 25th bulletin issued at 2.24 a.m. on Monday, said that the deep depression over the southeast and southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm named ‘Montha’.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its latest bulletin, said, “The Cyclonic Storm ‘Montha’ [Pronunciation: Mon-Tha] over southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 16 kmph during the past 3 hours and lay centered at 0230 hrs IST of today, the 27th October 2025, over the same area, near latitude 11.7°N & longitude 85.5°E, about 600 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 680 km south-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 710 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 790 km west of Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), and 850 km south of Gopalpur (Odisha).”

“It is likely to continue to move west-northwestwards over southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal during next 12 hours. Thereafter it is likely to move northwestwards, then north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by morning of 28th October. Continuing to move further north-northwestwards, it is very likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during evening/night of 28th October as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90–100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph,” it says.

The IMD has issued red and orange alerts for 23 of Andhra Pradesh’s 26 districts in view of the cyclonic storm. Red alerts have been sounded in SPSR Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, and Kakinada districts. The remaining districts—except Anantapur, Kurnool, and Sri Sathya Sai—are under orange alert, with the weather agency forecasting “heavy to very heavy rainfall” across the region on Monday. Extremely heavy rainfall is likely in the red-alert districts, the IMD said.

Meanwhile, in Odisha, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur have been placed under the Red Zone category.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Coastal Karnataka until October 28. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh to see the impact of cyclone Montha until October 30, IMD said.

“Govt has prepared extensively”: Odisha Minister

Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the state government has taken all necessary measures to face the approaching cyclone, identifying eight districts as “most vulnerable.”

“The Odisha government has prepared extensively for the impending cyclone, which is currently 930 kilometres away from the Odisha coast and moving towards the west and northwest. Eight districts of the state have been identified as highly vulnerable... We reviewed readiness with officials, identifying vulnerable points, and alerting relevant departments such as energy, PR, RD, health, and agriculture... Cyclone centres, relief centres, and plot centres are ready... The water resources department has started releasing water from reservoirs,” he said.

The minister added that special attention was being given to the safety of expectant mothers.

“Expectant mothers likely to deliver in the next week are being shifted to nearby Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) for safe delivery... Essential commodities are stocked to prevent hoarding and price gouging... SDRF, NDRF, and fire services are positioned in the vulnerable districts with additional forces ready for rescue and relief operations,” Pujari said.

Meanwhile, Chandra Sekhar Padhi, Engineer-in-Chief of the Water Resources Department, said the cyclone could move towards Kakinada and alter its trajectory thereafter. He noted that the situation remained under control but the department was staying vigilant.

“There is a possibility of a cyclone to pass to Kakinada and it will traverse its path....From 26 to 29 October, it will be in different categories, like deep depression, cyclone storm, severe cyclone storm, etc... We have decided to take a calibrated approach as and when the cyclone path and the intensity of the storm are clear...We will take necessary steps to empty our reservoirs...As of now, there is no danger from cyclone storm...Our field officers are ready to face any eventualities arising out of this cyclone storm,” he said. (With inputs from PTI)