Cyclone Montha to Intensify into Severe Storm, Eyeing Andhra Pradesh Coast for Landfall:

A severe cyclonic storm named 'Montha' is expected to make landfall on India's east coast, with the primary impact zone forecast to be in Andhra Pradesh. Here are the key details about where and when the cyclone will hit.

Landfall Location and Timing

Where: Cyclone Montha is predicted to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada.
When: The landfall is expected to occur during the evening or night of Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

Storm Intensity

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the storm will rapidly intensify in the coming days:

October 26: It is expected to strengthen into a deep depression.
October 27: The system is likely to become a cyclonic storm.
October 28: It is forecast to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm before making landfall.

At the time of landfall, the storm is expected to have maximum sustained wind speeds of 90-100 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 110 kmph.

States on Alert

Several states have been placed on high alert and are preparing for the impact of the cyclone:

Andhra Pradesh: The state is expected to face the most severe impact. A red alert has been issued for the coastal belt and the northern and southern regions from October 27-29. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to take all necessary precautions, including the evacuation of people from vulnerable low-lying areas. The Rayalaseema region is also expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall.
Odisha: While the cyclone is not expected to make direct landfall in Odisha, it is predicted to cause heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, particularly in the southern districts. Red, orange, and yellow alerts have been issued for various districts.
Tamil Nadu: An orange alert has been issued for northern districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet, which are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 27 as the storm intensifies in the Bay of Bengal.
Telangana and Karnataka: These neighboring states are also likely to experience the effects of the cyclone, with forecasts of gusty winds and thunderstorms.

Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal and those already at sea have been urged to return to the coast.[ Authorities in all coastal regions are on high alert, preparing for potential flooding and wind damage.