Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) on Monday stepped up precautionary measures as Cyclone Montha is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada during the evening or night of October 28. Odisha has also been placed on alert, with authorities monitoring the situation closely.
According to an official press release, ECoR has activated 24×7 monitoring and emergency control rooms at all divisional headquarters. Restoration teams and additional staff have been deployed at key stations, while relief materials are ready at vulnerable locations. Arrangements for food, water, and temporary shelters have been made for stranded passengers. Help desks and additional refund counters will operate at major stations to assist travelers.
Passengers have been advised to check real-time train running updates through the National Train Enquiry System (NTES), the IRCTC website or app, or by contacting the nearest Railway Helpline before beginning their journeys.
“In view of the approaching Cyclone Montha and to ensure the safety of passengers and train operations, 32 trains have been cancelled, one train has been diverted, and two trains have been short-terminated on October 27 and 28, 2025,” the ECoR informed on Monday.
The Railways also advised passengers to avoid travelling during the cyclone period.
“Passengers are advised to check the latest train status before commencing their journey and to avoid unnecessary travel during the cyclone period. This decision has been taken purely as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and railway property,” the ECoR further stated.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin, Cyclonic Storm Montha, which currently lies over the southwest and adjoining areas of the west-central and southeast Bay of Bengal, is likely to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28.
The system is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, around Kakinada, during the evening or night of October 28 as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph.
Notably, as many as eight districts of southern Odisha—Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur—are expected to be the most affected due to the impending cyclonic storm Montha. Meanwhile, several parts of the state are likely to witness heavy rainfall due to the system.
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday urged people not to panic over the impending cyclonic storm Montha, assuring that all necessary preparations to tackle its possible impact have been finalised.
