Bhubaneswar, October 27: As many as 59 pregnant women have been shifted to health centres and Maa Gruhas, so far as cyclone Montha, brewing over the Bay of Bengal is set to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on October 28 evening, affecting south Odisha.

According to reports, 59 pregnant women have been relocated to health centres and Maa Gruha in Mohana, R Udaygiri and Nuagada blocks of Gajapati district by the district administrations In view of the potential threat posed by cyclone Montha.

Dedicated teams are monitoring the relocation process.

The storm is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, bringing wind speeds up to 110 kmph and heavy rainfall across Andhra and south Odisha.

With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red warning for south Odisha, the administrations are on its toes to tackle any eventuality in Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Rayagada districts.

The Gajapati administration has initiated precautionary measures amid extremely heavy rainfall warning, with officials anticipating possible landslides and flash floods under the influence of the cyclone. Dedicated control rooms have been made functional.

Gajapati Collector Madhumita said 129 landslide-prone areas have been identified, and residents from these locations are being shifted to safer places.

Cyclone shelters have been readied with provisions for food and other essentials.

Similarly, about 110 multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters including schools have been kept ready in Ganjam.