Cyclone Montha: Odisha Evacuates Vulnerable Areas as Severe Storm Approaches Eastern Coast

The Odisha government has initiated evacuation procedures for residents in vulnerable areas and deployed 128 disaster response teams across eight southern districts as the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm 'Montha' on Monday.

According to Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, authorities are evacuating people from hilly and low-lying regions in eight southern districts that could be affected by the approaching cyclone. "The state government is thoroughly prepared to handle the situation, with appropriate arrangements made in potential impact zones. The evacuation process from vulnerable locations will be completed by 5 pm Monday," Pujari stated.

Although Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast, it will impact Odisha's southern and coastal regions. The government has implemented comprehensive measures to protect both humans and animals, aiming for 'zero casualties' during this natural disaster.

A 'red warning' has been issued for Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, and Kalahandi districts, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds reaching speeds up to 80 kmph.

As a precautionary measure, authorities have positioned over 5,000 highly skilled personnel across the region, comprising 24 teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), 5 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and 99 Fire Service teams. All districts statewide have been instructed to prepare personnel and equipment for rescue operations should the cyclone change its trajectory.

Minister Pujari indicated that while rainfall will begin Monday, the intensity of precipitation and winds will increase significantly on October 28 and 29.

The weather office has hoisted Distant Cautionary Signal No-I (DC-1) at all Odisha ports and advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea until October 29.

According to the India Meteorological Department's bulletin released at 4 am Monday, "Cyclonic storm 'Montha' over Southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal moved with a speed of 16 kmph during the past 3 hours and was centered at 2:30 am on October 27, approximately 600 km east-southeast of Chennai, 680 km south-southeast of Kakinada, 710 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 790 km west of Port Blair, and 850 km south of Gopalpur."

The IMD further stated, "It is likely to continue moving west-northwestwards over the Bay of Bengal during the next 12 hours. Subsequently, it is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28. The cyclone will very likely cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the evening/night of October 28 as a severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph."