Cyclone ‘Montha’ preparedness meeting of NCMC: Odisha aims for zero casualty

During a review meeting of the National Crises Management Committee (NCMC) in Delhi on Saturday to discuss about the preparedness for the impending cyclone (to be called Montha after formation) in the Bay of Bengal, Odisha stressed that the aim should be to keep loss of lives to zero and minimize damage to property and infrastructure. 

In case of damage, the essential services should be restored in the shortest possible time. The meeting was chaired by Cabinet Secretary Dr T V Somanathan.

The Additional Chief Secretary of Odisha apprised the Committee of the preparatory measures being taken to protect the population in the expected path of cyclonic storm and precautionary measures being taken by the local administration. It was also brought to the notice of the Committee that adequate shelters and evacuation arrangements have been made and necessary NDRF and SDRF teams have been kept on standby. District Control Rooms have also been activated and are monitoring the situation.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture along & off Odisha coast, Southwest, adjoining central Bay of Bengal, along & off Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Yanam (of Puducherry) from 26th October to 29th October. Those out at sea have been advised to return to the coast immediately.

Central Ministries and departments attending the meeting informed the Committee that all SOPs are in place, necessary guidelines have been issued and precautionary measures have been taken to minimise the damage due to impact of the cyclone.

Also Read:Odisha braces up for cyclone Montha; Govt reviews preparedness as 15 districts likely to be affected

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has kept teams in readiness and will be mobilised by 26th October. NDRF has kept additional teams on standby. Rescue and relief teams of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard along with their ships and aircrafts have been kept in readiness. Indian Coast Guard has already shepherded over 900 ships to the jetty/ shores so far, and remaining have been alerted to return to the coast. Union Home Secretary added that the MHA, NDMA and IMD are continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating with the ministries  and departments, state governments and agencies.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) briefed the Committee about the current status of the depression, over southeast Bay of Bengal which has moved nearly westwards with a speed of 7 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 950 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 960 km southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 970 km southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) and 1030 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha) as of 1130 hrs IST on 25th October 2025. It is likely to move nearly west-northwestwards, intensify into a deep depression by 26th and into a cyclonic storm over southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal by 27th morning. 

Thereafter, it is likely to move northwestwards, then north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by morning of 28th October. Continuing to move north-northwestwards, it is very likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during evening/night of 28th October as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of Odisha, Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry and, Union Home Secretary, Secretaries in the Ministries of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Departments of Fisheries, Power, Telecommunications, Ports, Shipping & Waterways, besides Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority and Member & HOD National Disaster Management Authority, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), Director General, National Disaster Response Force, Additional Director General, Indian Coast Guard, senior officers of India Meteorological Department and Ministry of Home Affairs.