Bhubaneswar: October 27:
A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal will intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 27, possibly making landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. Odisha expects heavy rainfall from October 27 to 29 and is preparing accordingly. Odisha Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the state is fully prepared for Cyclone Montha. Eight districts have been identified as the most vulnerable, and all departments are on alert.
The Odisha government has started evacuating residents from vulnerable areas and deployed 128 disaster response teams across eight southern districts as Cyclone Montha approaches.
The state is urgently aiming for “zero casualties” and has issued a red warning for dangerous rainfall and winds approaching 80 kmph. Over 5,000 trained personnel, including 24 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams, five NDRF units, and 99 Fire Service teams, have been immediately deployed.
People should take immediate precautions as heavy rainfall is expected in some places and is expected to intensify between October 28 and 29. The IMD has issued Distant Cautionary Signal No. 1 at all Odisha ports and advised fishermen not to venture into the sea until October 29.
The storm, 710 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 850 km south of Gopalpur, is expected to make landfall near Kakinada on the night of October 28 as a severe cyclone with winds up to 110 kmph. Immediate vigilance is crucial.
