Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for several districts in Odisha, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall as Cyclone Montha approaches the coast.
The storm is expected to make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, about 200 km from Odisha’s Malkangiri, and is likely to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the region.
According to the IMD, the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam are under a red alert, indicating a high likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm.
Other districts, including Nabarangapur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Khordha, and Puri, are under an orange alert, expecting heavy to very heavy rainfall.
The yellow alert has been issued for districts such as Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, and Sundargarh, which may experience heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, the state government has also directed district administrations to evacuate people from vulnerable areas and keep cyclone shelters ready.
Cyclone Montha is expected to bring widespread rains to Odisha over the next four days, with the maximum impact expected on Tuesday and Wednesday. The storm may trigger landslides in hilly areas, and authorities have been advised to take necessary precautions. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea, and those already at sea have been advised to return immediately.
