Cyclone Montha LIVE updates: Andhra, Odisha gear up evacuations as cyclone set to intensify into severe storm

Workers brave the rain to plant trees as part of beautification efforts for the upcoming business summit in Visakhapatnam on on October 27, 2025, amid showers triggered by Cyclonic Storm Montha. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

Cyclone Montha is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada on Tuesday (October 28, 2025) evening or night as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph, the India Meteorological Department said. A red alert has been issued for 16 districts in the State. 

Also read | Cyclone Montha: How it got its name?

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to carry out evacuation of residents of coastal areas vulnerable to Cyclone Montha to designated rehabilitation centres. In Kakinada and Konaseema region, which is likely to bear the brunt of the storm, nearly 10,000 people were evacuated while 126 pregnant women, were shifted to hospitals. The Odisha government has also geared up evacuation of people from vulnerable places amid inclement weather in eight southern districts where a “red alert” has been sounded.

Cyclone ‘Montha’ has triggered heavy to very heavy rains and strong winds across several districts, disrupting normal life. As a precautionary measure, East Coast Railway has announced the cancellation, diversion, and short termination of several coaching trains operating in the Waltair region and connected routes. As many as 32 trains have been cancelled.

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