Cyclone Montha: Cyclone havoc in Andhra Pradesh! Which state is at risk now?
In Brief
Cyclone havoc in Andhra Pradesh!
IMD's forecast
Where will Cyclone Montha hit next
Heavy rain and wind
After hitting the Andhra Pradesh coast, Cyclone Montha has finally weakened. On Wednesday (October 29, 2025), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that Cyclone Montha has now weakened into a moderate cyclone. Cyclone Montha crossed between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Yanam early Wednesday morning. After hitting the ground at a speed of about 10 km per hour, Montha is moving northwest across the state. Its center was 20 km from Narsapur, 50 km from Machilipatnam, and 90 km from Kakinada.
The IMD has stated that the movement of the storm is being monitored by Doppler radar in Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam. Strong winds and heavy rain continue in several coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, winds are blowing at a speed of 50 to 70 km per hour with heavy rain. The government has urged the public to stay safe for the next six hours.
Due to this cyclone, heavy rain with strong winds has occurred in the West Godavari, Krishna, and East Godavari districts. There are reports of trees falling and power supply being disrupted in many areas. Water has accumulated in some low-lying areas, and the administration has advised people to remain alert. Rainfall up to 15 cm has been recorded in Machilipatnam, Narsapur, and Kakinada. Continuous rain has been falling in Nellore district for 36 hours, while in Konaseema, a woman has died due to a fallen tree. So far, three more people have died in Andhra Pradesh.
As a precautionary measure, the Andhra Pradesh government has imposed a ban on vehicular movement from 8:30 PM to 6:00 AM in seven districts: Krishna, Eluru, Kakinada, West Godavari, East Godavari, Konaseema, and Alluri Sitarama Raju. Only emergency and medical services are exempted. The state administration has issued orders to control traffic on all national highways.
Flights and Trains Cancelled, Relief Teams Deployed
The storm has significantly impacted air and rail services. Thirty-two flights from Visakhapatnam Airport, sixteen from Vijayawada, and four from Tirupati have been cancelled. The South Central Railway (SCR) has cancelled more than 120 trains on Monday and Tuesday. Forty-five NDRF teams are engaged in relief operations. Repair teams have been deployed to restore electricity, water, and transportation services.
Red alert issued in Odisha, schools and Anganwadi centers closed
The impact of the month is also being felt in Odisha. More than 2000 relief centers in eight southern districts have been activated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. So far, more than 11,000 people have been relocated. Preparations are underway to relocate 30,000 people. Thirty ODRF, 123 fire brigades, and five NDRF teams have been deployed. The state government has ordered the closure of schools and Anganwadi centers in nine districts until October 30. Tourists are prohibited from entering the Devmali and Mahendragiri hills. Fishermen are advised not to go to sea until October 29.
IMD issues new warning
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for the districts of Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, and Ganjam in Odisha. An orange alert has been issued for the districts of Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Bolangir, Puri, and Khurda. A yellow alert for heavy rain has also been issued for the districts of Cuttack, Bhadrak, Balasore, Sambalpur, and Mayurbhanj.
The Railway Minister has held an emergency review meeting, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has reviewed the preparations with officials of the East Coast Railway and South Central Railway via video conference. He emphasized the safety of passengers, railway control, and improved coordination among disaster agencies.