New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert about a cyclone storm over the Bay of Bengal in the coming weeks. Cyclone Montha is heading towards the Bay of Bengal and is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm over the coast of Andhra Pradesh.
The landfall will be on the Andhra Coast near Kakinada on October 28. It will be in the evening or at night, as per IMD.
The existing depression will develop over the Bay of Bengal and proceed north-westwards and become a deep depression. Then it will become a severe storm when it moves across the coast of Andhra Pradesh between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada on October 28. The speed of the wind will be about 90-100 kmph, but can reach 110 kmph.
In response, a heavily heavy rainfall over Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal is likely in the next couple of weeks.
The Eastcentral Arabian Sea depression has shifted north-northwestwards and is approximately 380 km west-northwest of Panjim (Goa), 400 km south-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra), 620 km northwest of Mangalore (Karnataka), and 640 km north-northwest of Aminidivi (Lakshadweep) on Saturday.
At present, the depression over the eastercentral Arabian Sea is moving west-northwest at 12 kmph, approximately 450 km from Goa, 430 km from Mumbai, 680 km from Mangalore, and 690 km from Lakshadeep.
Red alerts issued
Some of the districts of Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry have been placed on red alerts. Baptala, Prakasam, Kadapa, Nellore, Anna Maya, and Tirupati districts are under red alert on October 27.
Nandyal, Chittoor, Palnadu, Guntur, Krishna, East Godavari, and Konaseema districts are on orange alert. All these districts will see heavy rainfall, beginning October 26.
The fishermen received a word of caution from IMD to not venture out into the southwest until Wednesday, October 29. Low-lying area residents are also advised not to move out in thunder and lightning.