Severe cyclone Montha weakens into cyclonic storm over coastal Andhra Pradesh

The Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha has weakened into a Cyclonic Storm over coastal Andhra Pradesh after making landfall near Narasapur late Tuesday night.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Montha moved nearly northwestwards at a speed of 10 kmph during the past six hours before weakening in strength. As of 2:30 a.m. on October 29, the system was centered near latitude 16.5°N and longitude 81.5°E, approximately 20 km west-northwest of Narasapur, 50 km northeast of Machilipatnam, 90 km west-southwest of Kakinada, 230 km southwest of Visakhapatnam, and 470 km southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha.

The IMD said the storm is likely to continue moving northwestward across coastal Andhra Pradesh, maintaining its cyclonic storm intensity for the next six hours. It is then expected to further weaken into a deep depression within the following six hours.

Latest observations confirm that the rear sector of Cyclone Montha has entered land, marking the completion of the landfall process. The system is being closely monitored through Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) located at Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam, along with data from coastal observatories, automatic weather stations (AWS), ships, buoys, and satellites.

Also Read: Severe cyclone Montha makes landfall near Narasapur in Andhra, triggering heavy rain in Odisha

Authorities continue to monitor the weakening storm as it moves inland, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to several parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh.