Cyclone Montha forms in Bay of Bengal, Orange alert issued for Chennai
Cyclone Montha has formed over the southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, intensifying into a cyclonic storm and is expected to further strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm and cross Andhra coast by tomorrow.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall for Chennai and its neighbouring districts on October 27 and 28, alongside an orange alert for several parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
The cyclonic storm is forecast to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada around the evening or night of October 28, with wind speeds reaching 90 to 100 kmph and gusts up to 110 kmph.
While the main impact is expected in Andhra Pradesh, coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, are expected to experience heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds as the cyclone’s outer rain bands brush past the coast.
Fishermen and those near the coast have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea till 28 October due to rough to very rough sea conditions. The affected regions include Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rayalaseema, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Puducherry.
Due to the approaching cyclone and heavy rainfall warnings, schools have been closed in certain districts, and disaster management agencies have stepped up preparedness measures.
Following the cyclone, Tamil Nadu is expected to experience a brief dry spell into early November before the next low-pressure system develops in the Bay of Bengal.
This cyclone has been named ‘Montha’ by Thailand, meaning a beautiful or fragrant flower, as part of the regional cyclone naming conventions.
The IMD continues to closely monitor Cyclone Montha’s path and intensity, providing timely updates to ensure the safety and preparedness of citizens along the eastern coast of India, especially in vulnerable urban and coastal areas like Chennai.