by: NavJeevan

Cyclone ‘Montha’ batters coastal states, disrupts rail & air traffic; govt. gears up for relief and rehabilitation

R ARIVANANTHAM
NEW DELHI/CHENNAI/AMARAVATI, OCT 29

The severe cyclonic storm Montha, which made landfall on the Andhra coast late Tuesday evening, has weakened into a moderate cyclonic storm but continues to move northwest at around 10 kmph, triggering heavy rains and high winds across large parts of eastern and central India.

  • Severe rains lash Andhra, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh; IMD warns of continued downpour till November 2
  • South Central Railway issues travel advisories, sets up 25 helpline desks; NDRF, SDRF teams on high alert

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Montha’s cloud mass remains active and is expected to move across coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana before weakening further into a deep depression in the next few hours. The system will continue to bring widespread rain to Odisha, southern Chhattisgarh, and Bihar, where districts such as Gaya, Banka, Nawada, Sheikhpura, and Rohtas are under a moderate to heavy rainfall alert.

Train and Air Services Hit Hard

Heavy rains and waterlogging have severely affected train operations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The South Central Railway (SCR) announced that several services have been cancelled, partially cancelled, or diverted, particularly on the Mahbubabad–Dornakal–Khammam section of the Secunderabad division.

In a statement, A. Sridhar, Chief Public Relations Officer, South Central  Railway, said: “Due to continuous heavy rains and water accumulation at certain stations, we have altered train operations to ensure passenger safety. Travellers are advised to plan journeys only if necessary.”

The SCR has also issued advisories through SMS alerts, mobile apps (RailYatri, IRCTC, NTES), and its official social media handles. War rooms have been activated at divisional and zonal levels, coordinating closely with state authorities to monitor flood conditions and restore normalcy.

Relief Measures and Rescue Coordination

Government agencies have deployed NDRF, SDRF, and civil defence personnel in the most affected areas for rescue and relief operations. Volunteers from Scouts & Guides have joined local efforts to provide food, shelter, and medical assistance to stranded passengers and displaced families.

Broader Impact Across Regions

IMD has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over Telangana, Rayalaseema, Odisha, and coastal Andhra till October 31, with the system likely to cause gusty winds up to 60 kmph in certain regions.

Meanwhile, scattered thunderstorms are expected in central India — Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha — and eastern states like Bihar and Jharkhand till November 2. Western regions including Saurashtra-Kutch and Konkan-Goa may also see intermittent heavy showers.

Government on High Alert

State governments in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have activated control rooms and emergency helplines in all districts. Disaster response teams are working round the clock to clear uprooted trees and restore power lines. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office has directed district collectors to ensure rapid assessment of damages to crops and property, and initiate relief and rehabilitation measures immediately.

As Cyclone Montha continues its weakening trajectory, authorities caution that its residual cloud mass will continue to bring intense rainfall and potential flooding in several regions through the weekend.