Cyclone Montha made headway on the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday evening, after it intensified into a cyclonic storm. Both states were on a high alert and are currently preparing for the cyclonic landfall, as it is expected to reach Kakinada.
The storm at a speed of 110 kmph led to rainfall and strong winds on Monday. The Indian Meteorological Department confirmed that the storm was 190 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam and 340 km South of Visakhapatnam. A night curfew has been imposed by the state government in the affected districts from 8:30 pm to tomorrow 6: 00 am tomorrow.
Movement of vehicles in Eluru, Krishna, East and West Godavari, Kakinada, Konaseema, and certain parts of the Alluri Sitaraman Raju districts. The residents of the above districts are requested to stay indoors, as movement of only emergency services is exempted from the ban. As Andhra Pradesh prepares for the cyclonic landfall, the Prime Minister has assured all possible support to the state.
The Konaseema region of the state is expected to be the worst affected with winds at the rate of 100 kmph hitting at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and Vashishta Godavari near Bodasakuru. The cyclone has led to strong waves pushing water further inland. Long stretches of the coast have been submerged due to the backflow of the Godavari and strong waves.
Authorities have also warned the vulnerable communities to stay away from the shore. The IMD has warned of a landfall in Antarvedi in a few hours as the Konaseema region is expected to submerge under the dust and winds of the massive cyclone. Other than Andhra, Odisha, and West Bengal are also said to be impacted by the storms.
