Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Montha, which made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast last night, spared Odisha from major damage, with only minimal impact reported in the southern districts of the state.
According to reports, the cyclone’s effect was more pronounced in the Ganjam district, particularly in areas such as Chikiti, Patrapur, Digapahandi, Polsara, Kavisurya Nagar, and Gopalpur, where rainfall was heavier. However, no major damage was reported in these areas.
In Ganjam block’s Podampeta, the sea breached the coast, washing away the remains of three dilapidated houses. The area had been evacuated 10 years ago, and no one is currently residing there. Local MLA and administrative officials visited the site to assess the situation.
The district administration has taken precautions, sealing off the road to Podampeta and evacuating people from low-lying and vulnerable areas to safer locations. Over the past two days, 6,028 people have been relocated to shelters, and arrangements have been made for their food and other essential needs. Additionally, 970 pregnant women have been shifted to hospitals as a precautionary measure.
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flooding in Odisha’s Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts. Roads were blocked by boulders and fallen trees in several areas, while one person was injured in a house collapse in Gajapati district.
As of Wednesday morning, IMD said Montha had weakened into a cyclonic storm and was centred about 20 km west-northwest of Narsapur and 90 km west-southwest of Kakinada. It is expected to further weaken into a deep depression as it moves northwestwards inland.
