Cyclone Montha batters Andhra, Odisha; one dead
Cyclone Montha is likely to weaken further into a deep depression while moving northwest across Andhra Pradesh’s inland areas.
Cyclone Montha Slams Andhra Coast, Leaves Trail of Destruction in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
Cyclone Montha made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada on Tuesday morning, bringing with it heavy rain, fierce winds, and widespread destruction across coastal districts. Wind speeds reached up to 110 kmph as the cyclone moved inland, toppling trees, flooding farmlands, and disrupting daily life across the region.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Montha crossed the coast between Kakinada and Tuni around 9:30 a.m., packing intense rain bands that battered the eastern coastline for several hours. While the cyclone has since weakened into a deep depression, the damage it left behind has been extensive, particularly in low-lying parts of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Odisha.
In Konaseema district, tragedy struck when an elderly woman was killed after a tree fell on her house during the storm. Local authorities confirmed that the incident occurred in the Amalapuram area, one of the regions worst affected by the high-speed winds. Elsewhere in the same district, a young boy and an auto driver sustained injuries when uprooted coconut trees crashed onto the road, narrowly missing several passersby.
Officials said rescue teams had been deployed swiftly after reports of damage poured in from across coastal Andhra, including East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, and Srikakulam. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams worked through the day to clear debris, restore power, and assist stranded residents. By evening, several stretches of road that had been blocked by fallen trees were reopened, though power supply remained disrupted in multiple areas.
Heavy rainfall has inundated farmlands in Godavari delta regions, damaging paddy and coconut plantations that were nearing harvest. Farmers in these districts expressed distress, fearing large-scale crop loss. “The water has entered our fields and destroyed what was left of the standing paddy,” said Ramesh Naidu, a farmer from Kothapeta. “We were just days away from harvesting.”
Authorities said around 8,000 people had been shifted to safer shelters before the cyclone hit, part of the state’s precautionary measures to minimize casualties. District administrations in affected regions are now assessing the scale of damage, with early estimates pointing to significant agricultural and infrastructure losses.
In neighbouring Odisha, heavy rains triggered by Montha’s outer bands led to flooding in several low-lying areas of Ganjam and Gajapati districts. Gusty winds uprooted trees and damaged power lines, though no major casualties were reported. Fishermen had been advised to stay away from the sea for at least 48 hours, and coastal patrols continued on high alert through the night.
The IMD said that Cyclone Montha has now weakened into a deep depression and is expected to continue moving northwestwards across inland Andhra Pradesh. “The system is weakening rapidly,” said an IMD official. “However, moderate to heavy rainfall is still expected in north coastal Andhra and south Odisha for the next 12 hours.”
Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy held a review meeting with officials from the disaster management department on Tuesday afternoon, instructing them to ensure immediate relief in affected areas. “The focus must be on restoring power, clearing roads, and supporting farmers who have suffered crop loss,” he said, adding that compensation assessments should begin immediately.
Relief camps have been set up in schools and community halls across affected districts, providing food, water, and medical aid. Volunteers from local NGOs have joined hands with government agencies to assist with distribution. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has urged people to remain indoors and avoid venturing out until winds subside completely.
As skies began to clear by late Tuesday evening, residents emerged to assess the wreckage — fallen electric poles, broken roofs, and waterlogged streets bearing testimony to the cyclone’s intensity. “We have seen many storms, but this one came suddenly and left us shaken,” said Lakshmi Devi, a resident of Amalapuram.
While Cyclone Montha has weakened, its impact across Andhra and Odisha is expected to linger for days. Recovery operations are now underway, and with thousands of homes damaged and farmlands submerged, the long road to rebuilding has just begun.