The Cyclonic Storm “Montha” over southwest and adjoining west central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) by Tuesday morning (October 28), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday evening.
Cyclone Montha will cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada either in the evening or at night on Tuesday "as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90–100 km/h gusting to 110 km/h," IMD added. Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh from Monday evening to Wednesday (October 29). The same is likely to prevail over Odisha on October 28 and 29 (Tuesday and Wednesday) and in Chhattisgarh on October 28 (Tuesday).
"Cyclonic storms carry immense destructive power-bringing fierce winds, torrential rains, and storm surges that can devastate lives, homes, and livelihoods. But with timely action, we can stay safe," it warned.
The term "to cross... coast" is the terminology used by weather agencies, including IMD, to indicate when the centre of the storm is projected to make landfall. According to the release by the weather department, here is what residents of the following states need to know about the incoming storm:
- Andhra Pradesh: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall (> 20 cm) is likely at isolated places over the southern state during 27th–29th October.
- Odisha: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Odisha at isolated places on 27th October, and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall (> 20 cm) at isolated places over south Odisha and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over north Odisha on 28th and 29th October.
- Chhattisgarh: Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy rainfall (more than 20 cm) is likely at isolated places over south Chhattisgarh on 28th October, and heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely on 29th October.
- Jharkhand: Light to moderate rainfall is very likely at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places on 28th, 29th and 31st October with heavy to very heavy rainfall on 30th October.
- Gangetic West Bengal: Light to moderate rainfall is very likely at most places with heavy rainfall at isolated places during 28th to 31st October.
- Bihar: Light to moderate rainfall is very likely at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places during 29th October with heavy to very heavy rainfall on 30th and 31st October.