Cyclone Montha gaining strength over Bay of Bengal, Andhra and Odisha coasts put on alert

Cyclone Montha is rapidly gaining strength over the Bay of Bengal, with cloud bands intensifying around its center, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.  The system, currently centred about 970 km southeast of Gopalpur and 890 km from Kakinada, is expected to intensify into a deep depression today and further strengthen into a cyclonic storm by Monday.

According to the IMD, Montha is likely to become a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28, as it moves northwestward over the west-central Bay of Bengal.

The cyclone is projected to make landfall between Kakinada and Machilipatnam along the Andhra Pradesh coast, close to Kalingapatnam, between the evening and midnight of October 28. At the time of landfall, wind speeds are expected to reach 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph, posing a threat of damage to kutcha houses, power lines, and trees.

Authorities have been advised to remain on alert, as the system is likely to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds across coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Odisha.

 Fishermen have been strictly warned not to venture into the sea, as conditions will turn very rough over the central and north Bay of Bengal in the coming days.

Also Read: Cyclone Montha: IMD issues red and orange alerts for heavy rainfall in several Odisha districts

“The system is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm on October 27, and thereafter it will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm. It is likely to cross over Machilipatnam, Kalingapatnam and Kakinada coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh. The entire East Coast, particularly fishermen, has been warned to stay out of the water due to heavy rainfall and strong winds,” said Dharam Raju, IMD Scientist.