Cyclone Montha: Key details on Andhra Pradesh landfall and impact on nearby states including Kerala

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that Cyclone Montha is likely to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh on October 28 (Tuesday) after rapidly strengthening over the Bay of Bengal. The storm name, Montha, was contributed by Thailand.

How Montha formed

The storm began as a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal. By the evening of October 24 (Friday), it developed into a well-marked low-pressure system. The system further intensified into a depression by the morning of October 25 (Saturday).

Montha’s path and strength

Moving west-northwest, Montha is expected to become a deep depression by October 26 (Sunday) and develop into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by October 27 (Monday). By the morning of October 28 (Tuesday), it is predicted to reach severe cyclonic storm status.

The storm is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, during the evening or night of October 28. At landfall, maximum winds of 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph, are expected. A storm surge of around 1 metre above the normal tide may flood low-lying areas in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.

Impact on neighbouring states

East & Central India

Odisha: Light to moderate rain with isolated heavy rainfall is expected October 27–30. Very heavy rain may occur over south Odisha on October 28–29. Winds along the south Odisha coast will rise from 35–45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph on October 26, reaching 60–70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph from the evening of October 28. North Odisha coasts may face winds of 50–60 kmph gusting 70 kmph. Sea conditions are expected to worsen from October 28 morning to October 29 early hours.

Chhattisgarh: Light to moderate rain with isolated heavy and very heavy rainfall is likely October 28–29.

Gangetic West Bengal: Light to moderate rain October 28–30.

Jharkhand: Light to moderate rain October 29–30.

Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar: Light to moderate rain October 30–31.

South Peninsular India

Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam: Heavy to very heavy rain October 26–30. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall on October 27–29. Gale winds 90–100 kmph, gusting 110 kmph, expected October 28 evening to 29 early hours.

Rayalaseema: Heavy rain October 26–29, extremely heavy rain October 27–28.

Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala & Mahe: Light to moderate rain October 25–28. Isolated very heavy rain on October 27. Squally winds 35–45 kmph, gusting 55 kmph along the coast.

Coastal Karnataka: Light to moderate rain October 25, 27–28, isolated very heavy rainfall October 27.

Telangana: Light to moderate rain October 27–29.

Possible damage in coastal areas

• Damage to thatched houses and rooftops.
• Flooding of low-lying areas due to heavy rain and storm surge.
• Crops such as banana and papaya may be damaged.
• Kutcha roads may be washed away.