Cyclone ‘Montha’ brewing over Bay of Bengal, IMD issues alert for Odisha

A fresh cyclonic storm, named ‘Montha’, is brewing over the Bay of Bengal and may bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to several parts of Odisha in the coming days. 

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the low-pressure area that formed over the Bay has now become well-marked and is gradually intensifying. It is expected to develop into a depression by Saturday afternoon, and subsequently into a deep depression by Sunday night, and intensify further into a cyclonic storm by Monday morning, October 27.

The system is currently moving in a west-northwest direction, but the exact point of landfall and its path are yet to be determined. 

IMD officials have indicated that while the cyclone’s core impact may be stronger over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha is likely to experience significant rainfall and gusty winds under its influence.

With the weather system gaining strength, the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has issued several alerts. From October 27 to 29, coastal and southern Odisha are expected to witness widespread moderate to heavy rainfall. 

A yellow warning has been issued for Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri on October 27. 

An orange warning has been issued by IMD for Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Khordha, Puri, and Ganjam on October 28, while Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Bhadrak come under Orange Warning on October 29. During this period, some areas may experience intense rain accompanied by lightning and thunder, with wind speeds reaching 60–70 kmph. 

Also Read: Low pressure becomes well-marked, likely to intensify into Cyclone ‘Montha’ by 27th October

Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea starting Saturday as conditions will remain rough. The IMD has predicted that weather conditions will start improving gradually from October 30 as the system moves inland and weakens.