Cyclonic Storm Montha has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, likely near Kakinada on Tuesday evening or night, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
“The Cyclonic Storm Montha over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and lay centered at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 28th October 2025 about 190 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 270 km south-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 340 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 550 km south-southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha),” the IMD said.
“It is likely to continue to move north-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the evening/night of today, the 28th October, as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph,” it added.
While Tamil Nadu is not expected to face the full impact of the cyclone, several districts including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu have been experiencing persistent rain since Monday. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, has issued an orange alert for these districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places and wind speeds reaching up to 60 kmph.
As a precautionary measure, the Chennai and Tiruvallur district administrations have declared a one-day holiday for all government and private schools on Tuesday. Several parts of the city, including Teynampet, Velachery, Anna Nagar, and Perungudi, reported water stagnation following overnight rain. Civic officials from the Greater Chennai Corporation have deployed additional pumps and field staff to prevent flooding and clear clogged drains.
In Andhra Pradesh, coastal areas from Vijayawada to Srikakulam witnessed intermittent heavy showers since early morning. The IMD has warned of extremely heavy rainfall and gusty winds over multiple districts as the cyclone moves closer to land.
“Cyclone Montha is expected to cross the Andhra coast by Tuesday evening or night between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, around the Kakinada area. Most districts in Andhra Pradesh will experience extremely heavy rainfall and gusty winds,” said GNRS Srinivasa Rao, IMD Hyderabad official.
The IMD has placed Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, and Mulugu districts under an orange alert, while several northeastern districts remain under a yellow alert.
In Odisha, coastal districts including Ganjam have reported rough seas, strong winds, and continuous rainfall. Authorities have instructed fishermen to stay ashore, and fishing boats from Andhra Pradesh have been given shelter at Gopalpur Port. “We have provided shelter to 30 boats in the harbour. They will remain there as long as the cyclone continues,” said Bidyabharati Nayak, Inspector in-charge of the Marine Police Station at Aryapalli.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to ensure all necessary precautions are taken to safeguard lives and minimise damage. The Chief Minister has instructed district collectors and police superintendents to evacuate residents of vulnerable coastal areas to rehabilitation centres and to ensure the availability of adequate food and safe drinking water.
Special officers have been appointed to oversee the functioning of these centres, and district collectors have been tasked with closely monitoring breaches in irrigation channels and tanks.
The IMD has forecast that rainfall intensity over northern Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh will gradually reduce by Wednesday, as Cyclone Montha moves inland after landfall. Emergency control rooms have been activated in all coastal districts to monitor the situation and coordinate relief measures.
Meanwhile, authorities have urged residents in low-lying and coastal areas to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay updated with official weather advisories.
(With agencies inputs)