R ARIVANANTHAM
VISAKHAPATNAM/BHUBANESWAR/HYDERABAD/CHENNAI, OCT 28
Cyclone ‘Montha’, which intensified into a severe cyclonic storm early Tuesday, slammed into the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada, bringing with it torrential rain, high-velocity winds, and widespread disruption across multiple states in eastern and southern India.
🚨 Cyclone Alert!
Severe Cyclonic Storm #Montha over west central Bay of Bengal is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during evening/night of 28th October, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110… pic.twitter.com/ZD4WW6ik2k
— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 28, 2025
#AndhraPradesh: High tides lash Kakinada’s coast with Cyclone Montha moving closer.
Visuals from Beach Road and Uppada. Authorities have restricted public access to the beach road to prevent accidents. #Montha #CycloneMontha pic.twitter.com/pJdtPzcZfN
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 28, 2025
All 32 flights operating from Visakhapatnam Airport were cancelled on Tuesday, along with 16 flights from Vijayawada and four from Tirupati, as aviation authorities implemented full-scale safety protocols. Airport Director N. Purushottam said extensive precautions were being followed under Airports Authority of India (AAI) guidelines to protect infrastructure during the storm’s pre – and post-cyclone phases.
- Over 150 flights and 120 trains cancelled across Andhra, Odisha, Telangana and Chhattisgarh as storm makes landfall near Kakinada
- Heavy rains, flooding and power outages hit multiple states; NDRF, SDRF and armed forces on high alert for rescue and relief
- Centre, state governments coordinate round-the-clock response
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviews railway and telecom preparedness
மோன்தா புயல் எச்சரிக்கையையொட்டி மேற்கொள்ளப்படும் தயார் நிலை குறித்து மத்திய ரயில்வே, தகவல் ஒலிபரப்பு, மின்னணு மற்றும் தகவல் தொழில்நுட்பத்துறை அமைச்சர் திரு @AshwiniVaishnaw இன்று ஆய்வு செய்தார்.@MIB_India @RailMinIndia #CycloneMontha https://t.co/yoz3aFGeqQ
— PIB in Tamil Nadu (@pibchennai) October 28, 2025
🚆Passenger Advisory – Cyclone ‘MONTHA’
Owing to the cyclone impact, East Coast Railway has made changes and rescheduling in the pattern of train services.
Please check current train timings before commencing your journey.#TrainUpdates #ECoR #CycloneMontha #SafetyFirst… pic.twitter.com/YGNZXnqNze
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) October 28, 2025
Similarly, 120 trains under the South Central Railway (SCR) zone were cancelled over Monday and Tuesday, as the cyclone’s trajectory threatened track safety and signalling systems. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, reviewing railway preparedness through video conference, directed officials to ensure passenger safety, recovery readiness, and coordination with state disaster agencies, and also emphasised uninterrupted telecom services and timely deployment of emergency teams.
Andhra Pradesh on high alert
#CycloneMontha Update 🌪️
🔶 26 NDRF teams deployed across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Puducherry, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu
🔶 19 NDRF teams on standby
🔶 SDRF teams also deployed and assisting in coordination with NDRF pic.twitter.com/ItNh6vBQPw
— NDRF India I राष्ट्रीय आपदा मोचन बल 🇮🇳 (@NDRFHQ) October 28, 2025
Coastal districts from Kakinada to Srikakulam and the Rayalaseema region are witnessing extremely heavy rainfall and storm surges, with several low-lying areas inundated. Disaster Response teams, including NDRF, SDRF, police, and fire personnel, have been deployed in full strength, while power and communication lines in parts of East Godavari and Visakhapatnam remain disrupted.
Odisha, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh brace for impact
ବାତ୍ୟା ମୋନ୍ଥା ପାଇଁ ଭୟଭୀତ ନ ହୋଇ ସଜାଗ ରୁହନ୍ତୁ। ସବୁଥର ପରି ଏଥର ମଧ୍ୟ ଆମେ ଏକାଠି ବାତ୍ୟାର ଦୃଢ଼ ମୁକାବିଲା କରିବା।#Odisha #CycloneMontha pic.twitter.com/7YEiFfxGMO
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 28, 2025
In Odisha, a red alert remains in force, with Ganjam and Gajapati districts recording gusty winds and rough seas. The IMD has warned of sustained rainfall between 30–40 kmph winds until Thursday.
Telangana is also facing widespread flooding in southern and central districts, including Hyderabad, where several roads and underpasses are submerged after continuous downpours. The IMD forecasts 100–150 mm rainfall in northern and eastern districts over the next 24 hours.
In Chhattisgarh, districts including Raipur, Durg, Bastar, and Rajnandgaon are under a red alert as the cyclone moves inland, bringing wind speeds up to 70 kmph. Meteorologists predict a sharp temperature drop post-storm, followed by a cold wave later this week.
Tamil Nadu, Bengal and Northeast also affected
Though on the periphery of the cyclone’s path, Tamil Nadu is witnessing heavy rain in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, and Tiruvallur, prompting an orange alert. Neighbouring states — West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Kerala — are also expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall, while northeastern states may see isolated thunderstorms through October 31.
Coordinated response underway
The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and the Home Ministry’s Disaster Management Division are closely monitoring developments, coordinating with state control rooms. Over 75 NDRF and SDRF teams, along with Army, Navy, and Air Force units, have been positioned for evacuation, rescue, and relief operations in coastal and riverine regions.
Officials said more than 30,000 people from vulnerable coastal areas of Andhra and Odisha have already been moved to safer shelters. Relief camps are being set up with food, water, and medical support, while fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea.
As Cyclone Montha weakens gradually into a deep depression over central India, authorities are focusing on restoration of power, telecom, and transport infrastructure, even as the country remains on high alert for after-storm flooding and landslide risks in the coming days.
