Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cyclone warning for the south Odisha coasts, as the severe cyclonic storm ‘Montha’ intensifies over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
According to the IMD’s latest bulletin, the storm has moved north-northwestwards at a speed of 15 kmph and is expected to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the evening or night of October 28.
The storm is currently centered near latitude 14.7°N and longitude 83.1°E, approximately 190 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 270 km south-southeast of Kakinada, and 340 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam.
The IMD has warned that the storm will bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
The severe cyclonic storm ‘Montha’ is expected to have a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph at the time of landfall.
The government has taken necessary precautions to minimize damage and ensure public safety. Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay indoors.
The IMD has urged fishermen not to venture into the sea, and those already at sea have been advised to return immediately.
