Amaravati, October 28 (Udaipur Kiran): Cyclone Montha made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast between Kakinada and Machilipatnam near Antarvedipalem, changing its course slightly before hitting the shoreline. Moving at a speed of 17 kmph over the past six hours, the cyclone is currently centred about 20 km from Machilipatnam, 110 km from Kakinada, and 220 km from Visakhapatnam. It is expected to take another four to five hours to completely cross the coast.
Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) Managing Director Prakhar Jain issued an advisory urging people to stay indoors and remain alert till the cyclone fully passes.
Officials confirmed that the landfall process has begun, and the system is likely to cross the coast completely by around 11 pm between Rajole and Allavaram. Meteorological authorities have termed the next few hours as “extremely critical.”
Widespread Damage and Heavy Rainfall
Authorities reported landslides in parts of Visakhapatnam due to continuous heavy rainfall. Several coastal areas are witnessing flooding and high tides. In Kakinada, massive sea waves have caused erosion along the Uppada coast, washing away roads and damaging houses. At Maipadu beach in Nellore, the sea level has risen by nearly 40 metres.
Strict Restrictions and Emergency Measures
In view of the cyclone’s impact, the Andhra Pradesh government has enforced strict restrictions across the affected districts. Movement of heavy vehicles on national highways has been banned from 7 pm onwards, and motorists have been advised to park vehicles in safe areas and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
To manage the crisis, the government has established 488 mandal-level control rooms, 1,204 relief centres, and relocated over 75,800 people to safer shelters. Additionally, 219 medical camps have been set up across affected areas to provide emergency healthcare support.
According to preliminary estimates, 38,000 hectares of crops and 1.38 lakh hectares of horticultural fields have been damaged due to heavy rains and strong winds.
Rainfall and Power Outages
Between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, Nellore district recorded the highest rainfall — 12.6 cm in Ulavapadu, 12.2 cm in Kavali, 12 cm in Dagadarthi, and 10.5 cm in Singarayakonda. Other areas, including B. Kodur (6 cm), Kalingapatnam (7 cm), and Visakhapatnam and Tuni (2 cm each), also received moderate rainfall.
Electricity supply has been disrupted in Rajole, and mobile towers have been damaged in several coastal districts due to high winds. Fallen trees blocked roads between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, while NDRF teams are carrying out extensive rescue and relief operations.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.