Andhra Pradesh braces for ‘Montha’ impact as IMD issues red alert for seven districts

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu put the entire administrative machinery on high alert on Sunday (October 26, 2025) as the India Meteorological Department issued red and orange alerts for 23 of the State’s 26 districts for Monday (October 27) in view of cyclonic storm ‘Montha’.

During a teleconference with senior officials, Mr. Naidu reviewed the preparedness of all the departments. Mr. Naidu instructed the officials to ensure there was no disruption to power supply, telecom connectivity, or drinking water systems.

Also Read: Cyclone Montha LIVE updates on October 26, 2025

The IMD said that the deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Monday morning (October 27). Thereafter, it was likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning (October 28) and was very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada in the evening or night. While crossing, the severe cyclonic storm could have a maximum wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph, it said.

As of 5.30 p.m. on Sunday (October 26), the deep depression lay centred over southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, about 720 km east-southeast of Chennai, 780 km southeast of Kakinada, 790 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 900 km south-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha.

An orange alert has been issued to government bodies, including district Collectors, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRFs of Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and South Odisha so that they could begin taking precautionary measures. 

Red alert, which indicates a possibility of extremely heavy rainfall, has been sounded for seven districts of Andhra Pradesh — SPSR Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema and Kakinada.

The IMD has warned that the sea condition may be ‘very rough’ along and off the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on Monday (October 27). It would further worsen, becoming ‘very rough’ to ‘high’ on Tuesday (October 28). According to the A.P. State Disaster Management Authority, nine State Disaster Response Force teams and seven National Disaster Response Force teams have been formed.

‘Montha’ is the third severe cyclonic storm after ‘Asani’ in 2022 and ‘Michaung’ in 2023 to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Mr. Naidu urged officials of all departments to ensure there was no loss of life or property. “Information and alert systems must be kept fully operational to continuously update and warn the people. Alerts should be sent through SMS, social media, IVRS [Interactive Voice Response] calls, and WhatsApp. Ensure that information from the village level reaches the State control room in real time,” the Chief Minister said.

Mr. Naidu said State and national disaster response teams have already been deployed in the coastal districts, and that predictive models and real-time data were being used for accurate analysis. “All irrigation projects and reservoirs should be closely monitored for water levels, and corrective action taken immediately,” he said.

Holiday in Yanam

A holiday was declared for schools and colleges in Yanam region till Wednesday (October 29) and the administration announced various precautionary measures.

The Regional Administrator, in a weather warning, said fishermen are advised not to venture into sea for fishing as wind speeds are expected to touch 90-100 kmh. The tourism boathouse was shut until further orders.

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, had forecast light to moderate rain at a few places and accompanied with thunderstorm and lightning at one or two places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal regions. Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai and Tiruvannamalai districts and Puducherry, it said.

On Tuesday (October 28), light to moderate rain is likely to occur at a few places over north Tamil Nadu, at isolated places over south Tamil Nadu and over Puducherry and Karaikal area with thunderstorm and lightning at one or two places.