Cyclone Montha Weakens After Landfall in Andhra Pradesh; Heavy Rains Lash Region

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday morning said that Cyclone Montha weakened into a cyclonic storm after making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast late Tuesday night. The storm, which earlier intensified into a Severe Cyclonic Storm, brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

According to the IMD, Montha crossed the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph.

Widespread Disruptions Across Andhra, Telangana

The cyclone’s landfall caused significant disruptions in air and rail transport. At least 30 flights were cancelled at Andhra Pradesh’s Gannavaram Airport on Tuesday, while 32 train services in neighbouring Odisha were suspended due to adverse weather conditions.

Authorities said heavy rain would continue across coastal Andhra Pradesh and parts of Telangana through Wednesday, with isolated areas likely to experience very heavy rainfall.

NDRF on High Alert

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said it is working closely with district administrations and the IMD to monitor the situation and ensure preparedness. Twenty-two NDRF teams remain on standby in vulnerable districts along the Andhra coast.

Cyclone Path and Intensity

Originating as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, Cyclone Montha intensified into a severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday morning before weakening post-landfall. At its peak, the system was located about 120 km east of Machilipatnam, 130 km south of Kakinada, and 230 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam.

While the storm has weakened, the IMD has urged residents in low-lying areas to remain cautious as heavy rainfall and strong winds could continue to affect coastal and adjoining inland regions throughout the day.