New Delhi: Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday evening, bringing heavy rain and powerful winds that disrupted life across several districts. The storm’s impact was also felt in parts of neighbouring Odisha, where 15 districts reported disturbances.
An elderly woman lost her life in Konaseema district when a tree collapsed onto her house during the cyclone. In another incident, a boy and an auto driver sustained injuries after strong winds uprooted coconut trees in the same area.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the landfall began around 7 pm between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada. Montha packed sustained wind speeds of 90–100 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 110 kmph, as it moved north-northwestward along the coast.
The cyclone severely affected several districts, including Kakinada, Krishna, Eluru, East and West Godavari, Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema, and parts of Alluri Sitarama Raju. Authorities suspended all vehicular movement in these seven districts from Tuesday night until Wednesday morning as a precautionary measure. The state government estimates that up to 403 mandals across 22 districts could experience varying degrees of impact.
The IMD warned that the storm may damage standing paddy and vegetable crops in low-lying areas, advising farmers to drain excess water from inundated fields. Residents have been urged to remain indoors, stay alert to weather updates, and follow official advisories.
To ensure rapid response, the government deployed extensive resources, including 1,447 earthmovers, 321 drones, and 1,040 chainsaws to clear fallen trees. Additionally, 81 wireless towers and 21 large lamps were set up to maintain communication and emergency lighting. Over 3.6 crore alert messages have been sent to residents across the state as part of the preparedness effort.
Heavy rainfall was recorded in several areas, with Ulavapadu in Nellore district receiving 12.6 cm, followed by Kavali (12.2 cm), Dagadarthi (12 cm), and Singarayakonda (10.5 cm). Officials briefed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu that Nellore had experienced the highest rainfall so far.
