Cyclone Montha took serious form! This storm which arose from the Bay of Bengal will hit the coast of Andhra Pradesh tonight. High alert in coastal states due to wind speed up to 100 km/hr, heavy rain and high waves. Is India ready for the onslaught of Montha?
New Delhi. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert that Cyclone “Montha” has now turned into a ‘Severe Cyclonic Storm’. The effect of this storm that arose from the Bay of Bengal is now increasingly visible on the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. Strong winds and rain have started in many districts since Tuesday morning.
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According to IMD, this cyclone may hit the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh by the evening or night of October 28. At that time its speed can reach 90 to 100 kilometers per hour, while gusts can reach up to 110 kilometers per hour.
Where is Cyclone Montha now?
According to the Meteorological Department, on Tuesday morning the storm was located 190 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 270 km south-southeast of Kakinada and 340 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam. It is continuously moving in north-northwest direction.
Alert in Andhra Pradesh, people being evacuated from villages
Andhra Pradesh administration has declared red alert in the coastal areas. NDRF teams have been deployed in 25 villages of Uppada region. People in Kothapatnam village have been asked to vacate their houses. Police and local administration are warning through loudspeakers that no one should go to the sea shore.
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In which states will there be heavy rain?
- IMD has predicted that the impact of Cyclone Montha will not be limited to Andhra Pradesh only.
- Heavy rain alert has been issued in Ganjam and Gajapati districts of Odisha.
- There is a possibility of light to moderate rain in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu.
- Heavy rain is also forecast in Jharkhand and Vidarbha region till October 31.
What does ‘severe cyclonic storm’ mean?
According to the IMD, when the average wind speed of a cyclone is between 89 to 117 km per hour, then it is called a “severe cyclonic storm”. It is more dangerous than a normal cyclone, because it can cause high sea waves in coastal areas, uproot trees and disrupt power supply.
Should coastal states be prepared?
Experts say that Andhra, Odisha and Tamil Nadu need to be extremely careful in the next 24 hours. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea and schools in coastal districts have also been closed. IMD has warned that the impact of “Montha” may last for the next 48 hours. The possibility of damage due to lightning, falling trees and strong winds during a storm cannot be ruled out.
Will Montha become a super cyclone?
Although its probability is less now, but weather experts believe that if the sea temperature increases then “Montha” can take an even more powerful form. At present it is in the category of “severe cyclonic storm”, but its direction and intensity are being continuously monitored.
Cyclone Montha is now very close to the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. The administration has activated relief teams and monitoring is going on round the clock in the coastal areas. The coming few hours may prove to be very important for South India.