Cyclone Montha to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted that the depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify rapidly into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay by October 28 morning, with wind speeds reaching 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph.

According to the IMD’s bulletin, the system, currently centered near latitude 10.8°N and longitude 89.0°E, about 420 km west-southwest of Port Blair, is moving west-northwestwards and will likely strengthen into a deep depression by October 26 and a cyclonic storm by October 27 morning.

The storm is projected to move toward the Andhra Pradesh coast during the next 48 hours, bringing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Telangana between October 26 and 29.

IMD has issued gale wind warnings, forecasting speeds of 60–70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph from Sunday evening, escalating to 90–100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph over the west-central Bay and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal by Tuesday.

Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the southwest and adjoining central Bay of Bengal, as well as along and off Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha coasts till October 29. Those already at sea have been urged to return to safety immediately.

Also Read: Cyclone ‘Montha’ update: Odisha or Andhra Pradesh? Landfall point still uncertain

The IMD also cautioned that sea conditions are expected to become ‘very rough to high’, with the possibility of localised flooding, landslides, and damage to plantations and kutcha houses in affected coastal regions