Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha continues to intensify over the Bay of Bengal, prompting heightened coastal readiness across eastern India. Meteorological projections indicate the storm is on a west-northwestward trajectory, currently moving at speeds around 17 to 18 kilometers per hour. Montha is forecast to strengthen further before making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, specifically near Kakinada, during the evening or night of October 28, 2025.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has escalated its alert status, issuing red and orange warnings across numerous eastern and southern districts. This signifies the expectation of very heavy, torrential rainfall alongside destructive wind speeds, potentially reaching 90 to 100 kmph with gusts up to 110 kmph upon crossing the coast. Coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh, including East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, NTR, and Palnadu, are specifically flagged for extreme vigilance.
In response, administrative machinery across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha has activated comprehensive preparedness protocols. This proactive mobilization includes the strategic positioning of essential relief supplies and the finalization of evacuation plans for communities in low-lying and vulnerable areas. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to issue hourly cyclone bulletins starting Tuesday morning to ensure the public remains informed. Schools and colleges in several affected districts, including Kakinada and West Godavari, have been declared closed as a precautionary measure.
Authorities are urging citizens to secure property, assemble emergency provisions, and strictly adhere to official advisories. Disaster response teams, including NDRF and SDRF units, are on standby, with departments like Roads and Buildings and Electricity prepared for immediate restoration work. The focus remains firmly on achieving a 'zero casualty' outcome as the system draws nearer, with officials aiming to complete evacuations from high-risk zones by 5 p.m. on Monday.
The Bay of Bengal remains a region susceptible to intense cyclonic activity, with analysts often citing warmer sea surface temperatures as a factor in rapid intensification. This event marks the first major cyclone likely to make landfall on the Indian mainland this year, drawing comparisons to previous rapid intensification patterns observed in late 2024.