Cyclone set to cross the Andhra coast on Tuesday evening; red alert in 16 districts

Cyclone set to cross the Andhra coast on Tuesday evening; red alert in 16 districts

Cyclone Montha is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada on Tuesday evening or night as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph, the India Meteorological Department said on Monday. A red alert has been issued for 16 districts in the State on Tuesday.

The cyclonic storm triggered heavy rainfall in three north coastal districts and moderate rainfall in other stations of the State on Monday. Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, and Anakapalli received moderate to heavy rainfall between 8.30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday.

Stations in the central and south coastal parts of the State received light showers. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to ensure that aid reaches without delay.

Rainfall data compiled by the State Directorate of Economics and Statistics showed Jathara in Visakhapatnam district receiving the day’s highest rainfall of 92.25 mm, followed by Madhurawada with 86 mm and Kapuluppada with 85.25 mm. Other stations in the district, including those within the city, received around 70-80 mm. In Anakapalli district, Sabbavaram received 67.5 mm and Rajam received 62.5 mm. Other stations received less than 60 mm. The alerts for SPSR Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram for Monday will stay till 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday, the IMD said.

For Tuesday, red alerts have been issued for 16 districts and orange alerts for five districts. Except for SPSR Nellore and the eight districts of the Rayalaseema region, all other districts are under red alert as isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely, with the cyclonic storm likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning, the IMD added.

It said the cyclonic storm over west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards at a speed of 13 kmph and remained over the same region at 8.30 p.m. It was positioned at 400 km east-northeast of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, 410 km south-southeast of Kakinada and 460 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and 640 km south-southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha. It is likely to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning. Continuing to move further north-northwestwards, it is very likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast in the evening or night.

Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre For Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued an alert for the State as high waves, in the range of 2.0-4.7 metres, are forecast between 5.30 p.m. and 11.30 p.m. on Monday, off the coast of Andhra Pradesh from Nellore to Srikakulam. Storm surge of height about 1 metre above the astronomical tide is likely to cause inundation over low-lying areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh, it said.

CM’s meet

Holding a high-level review meeting on Monday, Mr. Naidu has directed officials to issue hourly bulletins and real-time updates on Cyclone Montha. He also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally enquired about the cyclone’s impact and the State’s preparedness and has assured all possible help.

Mr. Naidu ordered the deployment of satellite phones and additional mobile towers, and directed officials to keep 3,211 generators ready across 110 mandals for power backup at 2,707 villages.

The Chief Minister instructed that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF teams remain on standby, and that the Fire Services, Electricity, Roads and Buildings, and Panchayat Raj departments stay fully alert.

Officials were told to act swiftly to restore infrastructure in case of road breaches, fallen trees, or power line damage. He directed that sanitation be given high priority post-cyclone to prevent disease outbreaks, and that 108 and 104 medical vehicles remain on standby, ensuring medical care for pregnant women and new mothers.

He also directed officials to evacuate residents in coastal areas vulnerable to the cyclone to designated rehabilitation centres.

At a review meeting, Naidu directed officials to issue hourly bulletins and real-time updates on Cyclone Montha.