New Delhi [India], October 29 (HBTV): The landfall process of the Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) Montha began on Tuesday around 7:30 pm as the storm moved towards crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
As per the 9:30 pm update, IMD said, ‘SCS Montha is likely to move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, to the south of Kakinada during the next two hours as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90–100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph.’
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that 11,396 people have been evacuated so far in the state, while the government plans to move a total of 30,000 people to safety.
CM Majhi said, ‘The eight districts of South Odisha—Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur—are likely to be the most affected. The state government is fully prepared to deal with this situation. As always, our goal is zero casualties. To evacuate people, we have prepared 2,040 cyclone and flood-affected sites. So far, we have evacuated 11,396 people. We are monitoring the situation and are preparing to evacuate more than 30,000 people. We have deployed a total of 30 ODRF, 123 fire brigades, and five NDRF teams. We have also kept more teams on alert.’
In view of the landfall, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw held discussions with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to ensure immediate restoration of rail services after the cyclone.
‘Spoke with Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu Ji and Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi Ji, along with concerned Railway officials. Decisions taken for immediate restoration work post landfall of the cyclone,’ Vaishnaw posted on X.
He said that railway war rooms have been activated and train operations are being closely monitored. ‘In preparation for Cyclone Montha’s expected impact on the East Coast, war rooms are activated at Divisional, Zonal, and Board levels. Essential resources have been positioned in the east coastal divisions. Our teams in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Guntur are on alert. Train operations are being closely monitored to minimise disruptions,’ the minister said.
The Indian Railways has cancelled 32 trains passing through Visakhapatnam for passenger safety. Earlier, Vaishnaw directed all officials of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) and South Central Railway (SCR) zones to remain on high alert and take proactive measures to restore train services swiftly.
In Andhra Pradesh, the state government has set up more than 800 relief centres and shifted pregnant women to hospitals. Kakinada MP Tangella, who was on the ground in Uppada, said the government was fully prepared.
‘Our government is fully prepared to face this cyclone,’ Tangella told ANI. ‘Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan have been monitoring the situation for the last two days. As the MP, I am on the ground and have arranged more than 800 relief centres where we are providing all basic facilities. We have deployed 1,000 electricians to ensure 24-hour power supply in case of any eventuality. Around 140 swimmers with boats are also deployed here. Pregnant women have been shifted to different hospitals.’
In Odisha’s Malkangiri district, medical staff are taking special precautions for pregnant women, shifting those due to deliver within 15 days to Maa Gruhas (birth waiting homes) at seven community health centres.
Dr Nishant Das, Medical Officer in charge at CHC Pandripani, said, ‘In light of the Montha cyclone, as per the district administration’s instructions, we are relocating pregnant women with delivery dates within 15 days to these Maa Gruhas. This ensures that when their labour begins, we can provide them with a safe place. So far, we have housed 22 pregnant women here. They are receiving food four times daily, undergoing blood tests, and being checked by doctors twice a day.’
A total of 123 fire teams have been deployed, and roads are being cleared to prevent casualties. Chief Fire Officer Ramesh Chandra Majhi said, ‘In view of Cyclone Montha, 123 fire teams have been deployed at various locations. Our teams are clearing roads affected by the cyclone. The Odisha Chief Minister has clearly instructed that there should be no casualties due to Cyclone Montha.’
Meanwhile, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Commandant Gyaneshwar Singh said 26 teams are currently engaged in active operations, with 19 in reserve.
‘NDRF has been on alert since the formation of Cyclone Montha, and we are monitoring the bulletins issued by the IMD. As per the latest trends, the movement speed has slowed a bit. However, gusty winds are currently flowing at around 90–110 kmph, moving north-northwestwards, and are likely to strike the coast of Andhra Pradesh. In total, 26 teams are deployed in active operations, and we have around 19 teams in reserve,’ Singh said.
Of the 26 teams, 12 are deployed in Andhra Pradesh and six in Odisha. ‘A maximum of 12 teams are in Andhra Pradesh because that is the area likely to face the most impact. Six teams are deployed in Odisha, and three in north Tamil Nadu, which is also likely to be affected. Yesterday, we deployed some teams in Telangana and Chhattisgarh,’ the official said.
Over 35 flights between Shamshabad in Telangana and Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Rajahmundry airports in Andhra Pradesh have been cancelled, GMR Airports said. A total of 30 IndiGo, two Air India, and five Air India Express flights have been grounded as SCS Montha approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast around Kakinada.
(ANI)