Cyclone Montha Weakens After Andhra Landfall, Leaves 1 Dead And Trail Of Damage
Severe cyclonic storm Montha weakened into a cyclonic storm after making landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast late Monday night, but not before leaving a trail of destruction, claiming at least one life, and forcing mass evacuations in the region. The storm crossed the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, bringing with it torrential rain and gale-force winds that uprooted trees, disrupted power supply, and inundated low-lying areas.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the storm had completed its landfall process shortly after midnight and had weakened as it moved inland. A woman was reported dead in Makanagudem village of Konaseema district after a tree fell on her amid the strong gales. Coastal districts, particularly West Godavari, Krishna, and East Godavari, continued to be pounded by heavy rain and gusty winds, prompting authorities to remain on high alert. In anticipation of the storm’s fury, the Andhra Pradesh government had imposed a night curfew in seven affected districts, suspending all vehicular movement except for emergency services.
The cyclone caused significant disruption to travel. Authorities cancelled a total of 120 trains across the South Central Railway zone, while dozens of flights were grounded at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati airports. Power supply was also disrupted in several areas, including Machilipatnam, after trees fell on power lines. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has positioned 45 teams for ongoing relief and rescue operations.Neighboring Odisha remains on high alert for the cyclone’s spillover impact.
The state government opened over 2,000 disaster relief centers and evacuated nearly 11,400 people from vulnerable areas. “Our target is zero casualty,” said Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari. A red alert was issued for several southern districts, including Gajapati and Ganjam, with schools and anganwadi centers closed in nine districts until October 30.The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall for parts of Telangana, Jharkhand, and West Bengal over the next few days as the cyclone system moves further inland. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the preparedness of the East Coast and South Central Railway zones, directing officials to ensure passenger safety and coordinate with disaster management agencies.Meta Description:
