A Gathering Storm in the Bay of Bengal
The calm blue waters of the Bay of Bengal have turned turbulent as Cyclone Montha rapidly intensifies, prompting a series of high-level warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The system, which formed as a deep depression earlier this week, has now strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm, triggering widespread concern across India’s eastern coastline.
According to the latest IMD bulletin issued on Monday morning, Cyclone Montha is currently centered over the west-central Bay of Bengal, about 350 km southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) and 420 km south-southeast of Paradip (Odisha). The storm is moving northwestward and is expected to make landfall between north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts within the next 48 hours.
Wind speeds are projected to reach 100–110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph, as the cyclone nears the coast. The IMD has also warned of extremely heavy rainfall, tidal surges, and rough sea conditions, urging fishermen to stay away from the sea until further notice.
IMD Issues Red and Orange Alerts
The IMD has placed Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha under varying levels of alerts, with coastal districts bracing for impact. A red alert indicating extremely heavy rainfall and severe weather has been issued for parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south coastal Odisha.
Meanwhile, an orange alert is in place across northern Tamil Nadu, where outer bands of the cyclone are expected to bring torrential rain, thunder, and gusty winds. The department has warned that strong gales and high waves could cause damage to weak structures, disrupt power lines, and flood low-lying areas.
“Cyclone Montha is gaining strength faster than initially expected due to warm sea surface temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions,” said Dr. M. Balachandran, Director of the IMD’s Chennai regional center. “We are closely monitoring the storm’s trajectory. People in coastal areas should remain indoors and follow government advisories.”
Schools and Colleges Closed as Precaution
In anticipation of heavy rainfall and potential flooding, state governments in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha have ordered the closure of schools, colleges, and coaching institutions in several districts.
In Tamil Nadu, schools in Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Thoothukudi remained shut on Monday following continuous downpours since Sunday night. The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) has also activated emergency control rooms in all coastal districts to coordinate relief measures.
Similarly, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that schools in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, and East Godavari would remain closed for two days. “We cannot compromise on safety. All district collectors have been instructed to ensure timely evacuation of residents from vulnerable zones,” he said during a press briefing in Amaravati.
In Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik convened a high-level review meeting and ordered immediate suspension of classes in Ganjam, Puri, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur. Over 500 schools and community centers have been converted into temporary cyclone shelters to accommodate families from low-lying coastal areas.
Evacuations Underway in Low-Lying Regions
As Cyclone Montha edges closer to the coast, mass evacuation drives are underway across vulnerable villages and fishing settlements. Authorities in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have already evacuated more than 40,000 residents to safer zones by Monday evening.
State disaster response teams, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units, and local police have been deployed to assist in rescue and relief operations. “Our teams are on standby in 13 coastal districts,” said Atul Karwal, Director General of the NDRF. “We have pre-positioned equipment, inflatable boats, and satellite communication devices in case of network failure.”
Images from coastal towns like Kakinada, Gopalpur, and Machilipatnam show strong waves battering seawalls, while fishermen have anchored their boats inland. Many residents recall the devastation caused by Cyclone Fani in 2019 and are not taking chances this time.
“We still remember how the water entered our homes during Fani,” said Ramesh Das, a fisherman from Ganjam district, Odisha. “This time, we packed early and moved to the school shelter. It’s better to be safe.”
Indian Navy and Coast Guard on High Alert
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have been placed on high alert, with ships and aircraft positioned strategically along the eastern seaboard. Naval aircraft are conducting aerial reconnaissance, while coastal radar stations are tracking the cyclone’s movement.
“Two naval ships equipped with disaster relief material, medical teams, and diving units have been kept on standby at Visakhapatnam and Chennai,” said a spokesperson from the Eastern Naval Command. “Coast Guard vessels are patrolling to ensure no fishing boats venture into danger zones.”
Port authorities in Chennai, Kakinada, and Paradip have suspended operations, and large cargo vessels have been directed to move to deeper waters.
Flight and Train Disruptions Reported
As the weather worsens, transport services have taken a major hit. Several flights to and from Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Bhubaneswar were either delayed or canceled due to strong crosswinds and poor visibility. IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara have issued travel advisories asking passengers to check flight status before heading to airports.
Train services have also been partially suspended. The East Coast Railway announced the cancellation of several passenger and freight trains running between Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, and Howrah. Emergency restoration teams are on standby to deal with any track or signal damage.
“The safety of passengers is our top priority,” said a railway official in Bhubaneswar. “We will resume services only after receiving clearance from the disaster management authorities.”
Power and Communication Precautions
Electricity boards in all three states have initiated preventive shutdowns in cyclone-prone districts to avoid damage from falling trees and broken power lines. Telecom operators have been instructed to keep backup generators ready at network towers to ensure minimal disruption to communication lines.
In Chennai, power supply was intermittently cut off in Besant Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, and Velachery, where gusty winds caused minor damage to transformers. In Andhra Pradesh, electricity restoration teams are stationed in coastal towns to respond swiftly once the cyclone passes.
Heavy Rainfall Batters Coastal Tamil Nadu
As the cyclone swirls offshore, heavy rain has already begun pounding coastal Tamil Nadu. Chennai recorded over 80 mm of rainfall within 24 hours, submerging several arterial roads. Waterlogging was reported in areas like Saidapet, T. Nagar, and Velachery, causing traffic snarls during morning rush hour.
In Cuddalore and Nagapattinam, strong winds uprooted trees and damaged rooftops. The state’s Public Works Department is monitoring the Adyar and Cooum rivers to prevent overflow. Local volunteers and municipal staff have been deployed to clear stormwater drains and distribute sandbags.
Odisha Braces for Landfall
All eyes are now on Odisha, where Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. The IMD predicts that the cyclone will strike between Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Puri (Odisha), accompanied by winds of up to 120 kmph and rainfall exceeding 200 mm in some areas.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged citizens to remain calm but vigilant. “Our state has faced cyclones before. We are prepared with adequate shelters, medical kits, and food supplies. Let us cooperate with authorities and avoid unnecessary travel,” he said in a televised address.
Odisha’s disaster management teams have stocked essential commodities, including dry rations, candles, water packets, and medicines, in all coastal blocks. Hospitals have been directed to ensure uninterrupted oxygen and power supply for emergency care.
Experts Warn of Climate Intensification
Meteorologists and climate scientists are increasingly pointing to warming ocean temperatures as a driving factor behind the intensification of tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal.
Dr. S. Rajeevan, former Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, noted that “the frequency of high-intensity cyclones has doubled in the last two decades. The Bay of Bengal, with its warm waters and favorable moisture conditions, has become a hotspot for such rapid intensification events.”
He added that climate change may not necessarily increase the number of storms but will likely make existing ones stronger and more unpredictable. “Cyclone Montha is another reminder of the urgent need for coastal adaptation strategies stronger housing, mangrove restoration, and community-based disaster preparedness,” he emphasized.
Relief Measures and Government Preparedness
Central and state governments have been coordinating closely to minimize casualties and damage. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has dispatched teams to monitor the situation and ensure timely relief distribution.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation in a virtual meeting with chief ministers of affected states, emphasizing a “zero casualty” approach. “Every life is precious. Coordination between agencies is critical at this hour,” he said.
The Union Home Ministry has assured that financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) will be released immediately after assessment of losses.
Public Advisory: Stay Indoors, Stay Informed
The IMD and state governments have issued several safety advisories urging residents to stay indoors during the storm, avoid unnecessary travel, and refrain from taking selfies or venturing near the sea.
Residents have also been encouraged to store emergency supplies, keep mobile phones charged, and tune in to official weather updates through radio, television, and government apps.
“We’ve seen how misinformation spreads during disasters,” warned an official from the Tamil Nadu disaster management department. “Only official government or IMD sources should be trusted.”
Human Stories Amid the Storm
In every natural disaster, it’s the human stories that remind us of courage and resilience. In Chennai, 28-year-old Lakshmi Devi, a nurse at a government hospital, said she walked 3 kilometers through flooded streets to reach her ward on time. “Patients depend on us. Cyclone or not, we can’t abandon them,” she smiled.
In Andhra Pradesh, local youth groups have volunteered to help elderly residents evacuate. “We are using our tractors to ferry people to the nearest shelter,” said Srinivas Rao, a volunteer from Srikakulam. “We can stand together even though we can’t stop the cyclone.”
What Lies Ahead
As Cyclone Montha continues its northwestward march, experts predict that the storm may weaken slightly after landfall but will still bring heavy to very heavy rainfall across eastern and central India, including parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal later this week.
Flood alerts have been issued in multiple river basins, and power restoration teams are preparing for post-cyclone operations. While the exact damage will only be known after landfall, early evacuation and preparedness may once again prove to be India’s best defense against nature’s fury.
Cyclone Montha’s intensification serves as a stark reminder of the growing climate challenges faced by India’s eastern coast. With millions of people living in vulnerable coastal belts, early warnings, resilient infrastructure, and community preparedness remain vital.
As the storm barrels toward land, the nation watches anxiously united by hope, caution, and the unyielding spirit of survival.
