Authorities have issued the highest level of cyclone warning as severe cyclonic storm Montha in the Bay of Bengal moves rapidly toward the Andhra Pradesh coast. The Cyclone Warning Centre in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday directed officials to hoist Great Danger Signal No. 10 at Kakinada Port, replacing the earlier signal number seven, signaling imminent severe weather conditions.
Ports across the Andhra Pradesh coastline have been placed under varying danger levels based on proximity to the storm’s path. Great Danger Signal No. 9 has been hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kalingapatnam, and Bheemunipatnam ports, while Signal No. 8 is in effect at Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam, Krishnapatnam, and Vadarevu ports. The Great Danger Signal represents the highest category of alert issued to ports during severe cyclonic activity.
According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), Cyclone Montha over the west-central Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is moving north-northwestwards at a speed of 12 kmph. As of Tuesday evening, the system was centered approximately 160 km from Machilipatnam, 240 km from Kakinada, and 320 km from Visakhapatnam. The APSDMA reported that the system is being closely monitored from its control room.
Meteorological reports indicate that the cyclone is likely to make landfall between Kakinada and Machilipatnam late Tuesday night, accompanied by strong cyclonic winds reaching speeds of 90 to 110 kmph. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh, warning of extremely heavy rainfall across multiple districts.
Under its impact, very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Srikakulam, Parvathipuram, Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli, Kakinada-Yanam, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, and Prakasam districts. The IMD also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall over Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore, Tirupati, Annamayya, YSR Kadapa, and Nandyal districts, along with Yanam and parts of Rayalaseema.
The APSDMA has urged residents to remain indoors and take necessary safety precautions as the cyclone approaches landfall. Officials have been instructed to maintain strict vigilance, particularly in low-lying and coastal regions prone to flooding.
Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued high wave alerts for coastal districts, forecasting wave heights between 3 and 4.7 meters. The agency has advised small vessels to stay ashore and suspended all recreational maritime activities, warning of possible coastal erosion and wave surges due to the cyclone’s intensity.
As the severe cyclonic storm draws closer to the Andhra Pradesh coast, disaster management teams remain on high alert to minimize potential damage and ensure timely evacuation and relief operations in vulnerable areas.
