Cyclone Montha to Intensify into Severe Storm; IMD Issues Red Alert for Andhra Pradesh, Over 90 Trains Cancelled

Mumbai: A severe weather situation is developing along India’s east coast as Cyclone Montha intensifies over the west-central Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday warned that the cyclone is likely to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm and make landfall in Andhra Pradesh between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada on the evening or night of October 28.

According to the IMD, “Montha over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 17 kmph during the past six hours and lay centred at 2.30 am on October 28 about 230 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam and 310 km south-southeast of Kakinada.”

The storm is expected to bring maximum sustained wind speeds of 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph, as it nears landfall. Authorities have issued red alerts for 19 coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh, warning of extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds that may disrupt power, transport, and communications.

As a precautionary measure, the South Central Railway has announced cancellation of 67 trains, while other railway divisions have cancelled more than 95 train services across the affected routes. “Most of these trains originate from stations in regions that are expected to be severely impacted by Cyclone Montha,” railway officials said.

The storm system is currently positioned about 230 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 370 km south of Visakhapatnam, and 570 km south-southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha. It continues to move north-northwestward at 17 km per hour, with the likelihood of intensifying further before landfall.

Residents in low-lying and coastal areas have been advised to remain indoors, avoid sea travel, and follow the latest advisories from local authorities. Fishermen have been strictly warned not to venture into the Bay of Bengal until the storm weakens.