Cyclone Montha Nears Landfall; Southern Odisha on Red Alert for Extreme Rainfall
Bhubaneswar, Odisha – Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha is churning in the Bay of Bengal, and while it is projected to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast, its immense power is set to unleash torrential rain and high-velocity winds across southern Odisha. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a "Red Message" cyclone warning for the state's southern coastal regions, anticipating severe weather conditions over the next 48 hours.
As of Tuesday morning, the storm system had intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and was located approximately 550 km south-southwest of Gopalpur, Odisha. The storm is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada on the evening or night of October 28th, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 90-100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph. Despite the landfall occurring outside Odisha, the storm's vast and potent outer bands will have a significant and direct impact on several districts within the state.
Multi-Day Heavy Rainfall Forecast
The primary threat to Odisha from Cyclone Montha is exceptionally heavy rainfall, with the IMD issuing tiered warnings for districts based on the expected intensity.
Red Warning (Take Action): For the 24-hour period ending Wednesday morning (October 29), a red warning is in effect for the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nawarangpur, Kalahandi Gajpati, and Ganjam. These areas are bracing for scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20cm), with a high probability of isolated, extremely heavy downpours exceeding 20cm. On the following day, from October 29 to October 30, the red warning will continue for Malkangiri, Koraput, Nawarangpur, Kalahandi, and Rayagada for similarly intense rainfall. A moderate to high risk of flash floods has also been identified for Gajapati and Ganjam districts7.
Orange and Yellow Alerts: An orange warning, indicating preparedness for heavy to very heavy rain (7 to 20cm), has been issued for Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Nuapada, Bolangir Sonepur, Khordha, and Puri for the first 24 hours. This alert extends to Nuapada, Bolangir, Kandhamal, and Gajapati for the subsequent day. Additionally, a broader yellow warning for heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) covers numerous other districts across the state on both days, eventually shifting to northern districts like Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Sundargarh by October 30.
Wind, Sea, and Port Advisories
Gale-force winds and treacherous sea conditions are expected along the Odisha coast. Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea until October 29 and any vessels currently at sea have been ordered to return to the coast immediately.
Wind speeds are predicted to reach 60-70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph, along and off the south Odisha coast from Tuesday evening into the early hours of Wednesday. The north Odisha coast is expected to experience squally winds of 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, during the same period.
In response to the threat, authorities have ordered Local Cautionary Signal No-III (LC-III) to be hoisted at Gopalpur Port. Distant Warning Signal No-II (DW-II) is now in place at Paradip, Dhamra, Puri, Chhatrapur, and Chandbali ports.
Potential Impacts and Precautionary Measures
The IMD has warned of significant potential damage in the most affected districts, including Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Ganjam, and Gajapati. The impacts could include major damage to thatched houses, uprooting of trees, and disruptions to power and communication lines.
Officials have advised a total suspension of all fishing operations. Residents in coastal hutments are being moved to safer shelters, and people in all affected areas are urged to remain indoors. The heavy rainfall is also expected to cause localized flooding, waterlogging in low-lying areas, and potential landslides, disrupting traffic and surface transport. Widespread damage to paddy crops and orchards due to inundation and high winds is also anticipated. Authorities are regulating tourism and transport services as a precautionary measure.
