The IMD has issued a red alert for the coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh, which also face the threat of flash floods.

Storm surge of about one metre above the astronomical tide is expected along the coast, which may inundate low-lying areas. Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, Nellore, Konaseema, and Kakinada districts have been receiving heavy rains with strong winds.

High tidal waves have damaged the Uppada-Kakinada beach road. Authorities closed the road for traffic.

Great danger signal number 10 was hoisted at Kakinada Port. The great danger signal is the highest danger signal issued to port in times of severe cyclones. Great danger signal number nine was hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kalingapatnam and Bheemunipatnam ports. Great danger signal eight was hoisted at Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam, Krishnapatnam and Vadarevu ports.

Strong winds lash Manginapudi Beach in Andhra Pradesh's Machilipatnam.

VIDEO | Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh: Strong winds lash Manginapudi Beach as Cyclone Montha impacts the coast. NDRF Team Commander Eswar Rao Gadde says, “As everyone knows, due to Cyclone Montha, the 10th battalion team is deployed here in Machilipatnam. We’ve been monitoring… pic.twitter.com/SFjGB8FpXM

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 28, 2025

Odisha's Chilika Lake became turbulent.

#WATCH | Khordha, Odisha: Chilika Lake becomes turbulent in Khordha district due to weather changes caused by Cyclone Montha. pic.twitter.com/MplFI0ax0G

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2025

Heavy rains inundate residential areas near Chennai.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Heavy rains inundate residential areas in Parivakkam, near Poonamallee, on the outskirts of Chennai pic.twitter.com/R26WQdOTXx

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2025

South Central Railway CPRO said that due to prevailing cyclonic conditions, Indian Railways has so far cancelled 122 trains, while a few others have been regulated, rescheduled, or diverted. In total, around 160 trains have been affected.

Most of these trains operate between the Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada sections, which are likely to experience the impact of the cyclone. Therefore, services on those routes have been cancelled.

Particularly, trains starting from cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai towards Howrah and Assam, as well as some trains bound for Secunderabad, have either been cancelled or rescheduled.

Machilipatnam: 68 kmph

Kakinada: 52 kmph

Rajjahmundry Airport: 50 kmph

Bapatla: 33 kmph

Nellur: 25 kmph

The cyclone is expected to impact 403 mandals across 22 districts, prompting the state government to set up 488 control rooms at the mandal level.

Nearly 76,000 people have been shifted to relief camps, and 219 medical camps have been set up at various locations, it added.

To ensure uninterrupted emergency communication, 81 wireless towers and 21 large lamps have been installed.

The government has also kept 1,447 earthmovers, 321 drones, and 1,040 chainsaws ready to clear uprooted trees.

As part of preparedness measures, 3.6 crore alert messages have been disseminated to residents across the state. The government has also arranged 865 tonnes of animal fodder, it further said.

Standing crops spread over 38,000 hectares and horticulture crops in 1.38 lakh hectares were destroyed in Andhra Pradesh due to the impact of the severe cyclonic storm 'Montha', the CMO said.

"Due to the impact of the cyclone, heavy rains across the state destroyed standing crops in 38,000 hectares and horticulture crops in 1.38 lakh hectares," said a press release from the chief minister's office, citing preliminary estimates.

The landfall process of Cyclone Montha has commenced around Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada, and is expected to continue for around four hours.

After moving for the past six hours at a speed of 15 kilometres per hour, the cyclonic system will move north-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam. At the time, the system will move with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph.

India Meteorological Department chief Mrityunjay Mohapatra told NDTV that Cyclone Montha is likely to make landfall around midnight along the Andhra coast.

During landfall, wind speeds could reach up to 110 kilometers per hour. A flash flood warning for districts in northern Andhra Pradesh is in place.

Heavy rain and strong winds were witnessed in Andhra Pradesh's Machilipatnam, situated near the location where Cyclone Montha will make landfall shortly.

VIDEO | Machilipatnam: Cyclone Montha lashes the city with heavy rain and 50-60 km/hr winds, tree falls block Manginapudi Beach road, disrupting commuters. pic.twitter.com/QDrXTSxyqX

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 28, 2025

Hours ahead of its landfall in Andhra Pradesh, Cyclone Montha reached West Bengal. The IMD urged residents to exercise caution as the impact of the cyclonic system was witnessed in Purulia.

Over 35 flights between Shamshabad in Telangana and Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Rajahmundry airports in Andhra Pradesh have been cancelled over cyclone Montha, officials said.

A total of 30 IndiGo, two Air India and five Air India Express flights have been cancelled as the SCS Month approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast around Kakinada.

Heavy vehicles will not be allowed on national highways in Andhra Pradesh's coastal districts from 7 pm Tuesday in view of severe cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal, officials said.

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) announced restrictions on roads in the districts affected by the cyclone.

It said people should avoid travel unless absolutely necessary in view of the cyclone.

#WATCH | Bhubaneswar: On state’s preparedness for the impending cyclone 'Montha', Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi says, "...the eight districts of South Odisha - Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur - are likely to be the most… pic.twitter.com/MPoDMceLzS

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2025

Heavy to very heavy rainfall lashed parts of southern and eastern Rajasthan, with Nainwa in Bundi district recording the highest at 130 mm in the last 24 hours till Tuesday morning.

Udaipur, Kota and nearby districts are expected to receive more heavy rainfall today. Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is also expected in parts of Ajmer, Jaipur, Bharatpur and Jodhpur divisions, they said.

* The cyclone has moved at a speed of 12 kmph for the past six hours.

* It is currently centered 120 km from Machilipatnam, 200 km from Kakinada, and 290 km from Visakhapatnam.

* cyclone Montha likely to make landfall tonight between Kakinada and Machilipatnam as a severe cyclonic storm.

* Intensity expected to increase as it approaches the coast.

* Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely over coastal districts.

* During landfall, strong winds at 90-110 kmph expected along coastal areas.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed cyclone preparedness, directing railways to take precautionary measures in anticipation of Cyclone Montha's impact on the East Coast, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana.

Here are the key actions announced:

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed all officials of East Coast Railway and South-Central Railway zones to remain on high alert and to take proactive steps for the quick restoration of train services following the impact of severe cyclonic storm 'Montha', which is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada.

The Railway Minister reviewed the measures being undertaken for passenger safety, train regulation, restoration planning, and coordination with local administrations and disaster management agencies.

Uppada beach road in Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada has been completely destroyed by the force winds. Eluru Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ashok Kumar visited the Uppada coastal area and suggested people to be on alert as Cyclone Montha is expected to cross the coast either at midnight today or tomorrow morning.

The severe cyclonic storm Montha over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centered at 8:30 am today. This is about 160 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 240 km south-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 320 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 530 km south-southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha), as per the India Meteorological Department.

The severe cyclonic storm Montha over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centered at 8:30 am today. This is about 160 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 240 km south-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 320 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 530 km south-southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha), as per the India Meteorological Department.

Officials are seen making announcements and asking people to vacate their houses in Kothapatnam village, as a precautionary measure for Cyclone Montha.

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: Officials make announcements and ask people to vacate their houses in Kothapatnam village, as a precautionary measure for Cyclone Montha. NDRF teams have been deployed in 25 hamlets in Uppada. pic.twitter.com/IfDrSD1R3h

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2025

Ahead of the landfall that Cyclone Montha is expected to make this evening, NTR district in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada is fully prepared upto the village-level to deal with the possible impact. The district administration has also established the central command control room.

"Everywhere, up to village-level response teams are kept on high alert. Today is the second day of Cyclone Montha. We are expecting the highest rainfall in Vijayawada city. So, to drain out the rainfall water, all the canals are kept vacant, and everyone is alert. All the departments, mainly the police, revenue, irrigation department, R&B department and electricity departments, are working in unison. The public is alerted well in advance, and they are all being shifted to the rehabilitation centres..." said Dr G Lakshmisha, Collector of NTR district, while speaking to the news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh: Collector of NTR district, Dr G. Lakshmisha, says, "To face the Cyclone Montha, NTR district administration is prepared and the central command control room is established. Everywhere, up to village-level response teams are kept on high… https://t.co/lA8qmgnBiA pic.twitter.com/77QwQ1gUjp

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2025

Warning of severe cyclonic storm Montha has affected 183 trains, including cancellations.

Forty-three trains of East Coast Railway have been cancelled. While five trains have been diverted, eight have been rescheduled, and five other have been short-terminated.

Lifeguards and fire department officials are preventing tourists from bathing in sea amid cyclone Montha alert.

Cyclonic storm Montha over the westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north to northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during the past six hours and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm by 5.30 am today, said the India Meteorological Department.

(A) Severe Cyclonic Storm “Montha” [Pronunciation: Mon-Tha] over Westcentral Bay of Bengal
The Cyclonic Storm “Montha” [Pronunciation: Mon-Tha] over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into a severe… pic.twitter.com/jnvQPjMYgb

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 28, 2025

Heavy rain in Odisha's Rayagada as Cyclone Montha is set to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh today impacting several coastal regions.

#Watch | Heavy rains lashed Odisha's Rayagada as Cyclone Montha is set to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh today impacting several coastal regions#CycloneMontha pic.twitter.com/pms6CYO0ox

— NDTV (@ndtv) October 28, 2025

Watch #TheBreakfastShow with @divyawadhwa | Heavy rains lash parts of Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Odisha as states brace for impact of Cyclone Montha expected to make landfall in Kakinada today #CycloneMontha pic.twitter.com/qf5rWS6jEu

— NDTV (@ndtv) October 28, 2025

Following flights of Air India have been cancelled for today due to Cyclone Montha:

The India Meteorological Department has placed Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Ranipet districts under an orange alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places and thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds reaching up to 60 kmph in some areas.

As a precautionary measure, the Chennai District Collector has declared a one-day holiday for all government and private schools in the city on Tuesday.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has established 215 relief centres across Chennai so far to provide immediate support to residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Each relief centre has been equipped with essential amenities such as food, sanitation, and clean drinking water facilities.

A network of 106 central kitchens has been set up to ensure an uninterrupted meal supply. Over four lakh residents from vulnerable areas were provided three meals a day during this period, underscoring the scale of the civic response.

The GCC has readied over 2,000 motor pumps of varying capacities to drain rainwater from inundated zones. To handle emergencies caused by strong winds and falling trees, 457 trained tree surgeons have been deployed.

-IANS

Farms fields in Andhra Pradesh's Machilipatnam start to submerge as cyclone Montha nears landall.

Real-time voice alerts on Cyclone Montha are being broadcast in 26 coastal villages across the state’s coastal districts on a pilot basis. Even in the event of a power outage, the 360 degree horn speaker system can clearly transmit warning messages within a one-kilometre radius, ensuring uninterrupted communication.

📍Andhra Pradesh | #Watch: Real-time voice alerts on Cyclone Montha are being broadcast in 26 coastal villages across the state’s coastal districts#CycloneMontha pic.twitter.com/MaaWNI1xi9

— NDTV (@ndtv) October 28, 2025

In addition, citizens are being alerted and updated through SMS, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) calls, traditional “tontams” (public drum announcements), and field-level officers, ensuring round-the-clock public awareness and preparedness.

In view of the Cyclone Montha, two trains have been cancelled:

#Watch | As Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada in the evening today, visuals show heavy winds and rain lash Machilipatnam#CycloneMontha pic.twitter.com/QQT3J8JPcC

— NDTV (@ndtv) October 28, 2025

The cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region are given names from a predetermined list submitted by countries in the region. The name Montha was suggested by Thailand, one of the 13 member countries that contribute to naming cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region.

Montha means fragrant flower or beautiful flower in the Thai language.

Andhra Pradesh is on high alert for Cyclone Montha, said Nara Lokesh, National General Secretary, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), adding that a 24x7 Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) war-room is coordinating evacuations, rescue and restoration with a "zero-casualty mission". About 40 lakh people in 19 districts are in the vulnerable zone, he said, listing out the steps taken so far:

#APpreparesForMontha
AP is on high alert for #CycloneMontha. We are fully prepared and a 24x7 RTGS war-room is coordinating evacuations, rescue and restoration with a zero-casualty mission.
- About 40 lakh people in 19 districts are in the vulnerable zone and it’s our priority… pic.twitter.com/SyDK6ZGEIE

— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) October 27, 2025

Due to prevailing cyclone conditions and heavy rainfall expected in and around Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry, flight operations to and from these cities are affected, IndiGO informed and advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu over phone and discussed the latest on Cyclone Montha and its impact. PM Modi assured of assistance to the state.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday reviewed the situation from Real Time Governance Society Centre at State Secretariat. The administration, he said, is "fully prepared" to face any situation.
"I have instructed officials to take preemptive protective measures to prevent loss of life and property due to the cyclone after reviewing the situation. We are continuously providing accurate information to the public to keep them alert," wrote Naidu in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

#CycloneMontha
రాష్ట్రంపై మొంథా తుపాను ప్రభావాన్ని గంటగంటకూ అంచనా వేస్తున్నాం. ఎలాంటి పరిస్థితినైనా ఎదుర్కొనేందుకు సన్నద్ధంగా ఉన్నాం. అధికారులతో సమీక్షించి తుఫాన్ వల్ల ఆస్తి, ప్రాణ నష్టం సంభవించకుండా ముందస్తు రక్షణ చర్యలు తీసుకోవాలని ఆదేశాలు ఇచ్చాను. ఎప్పటికప్పుడు ప్రజలకు వాస్తవ… pic.twitter.com/VWD6dQUaxQ

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) October 27, 2025

Cyclone Montha is expected to hit Andhra Pradesh as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum wind speed of 90-100 kmph. After hitting the Andhra coast, Cyclone "Montha" will slow down somewhat and move towards Odisha, Mohapatra told NDTV.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department, said, "Andhra Pradesh will be the most affected, followed by Odisha and then Chhattisgarh. Heavy rainfall will continue in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu between October 28 and 30".