New Delhi, Oct 28: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has mobilized 45 teams to carry out rescue and relief operations as Cyclone Montha approaches, expected to heavily impact coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, while also bringing intense rainfall to Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu.

According to the NDRF, 25 teams have been pre-deployed across various states, with the remaining units on standby for emergency deployment. Of the total, ten teams have been stationed in Andhra Pradesh, six in Odisha, three each in Tamil Nadu and Telangana, two in Chhattisgarh, and one in Puducherry.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Tuesday morning that Cyclone Montha has strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm. It is forecast to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast — between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada — by Tuesday evening or night.

The IMD has warned of extremely heavy rainfall and powerful winds in parts of Andhra Pradesh, issuing an orange alert for the districts of Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, and Mulugu. Other northeastern districts remain under a yellow alert as authorities brace for the cyclone’s impact.