The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for key coastal districts as Cyclone Montha intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal and is expected to make landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam on 28 October. In anticipation of the storm, preparations are in full swing. Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have evacuated tens of thousands of residents from low-lying and coastal areas, mobilised NDRF and SDRF teams, and set up relief camps to mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall and gusty winds expected to reach 90–110 km/h. ed disaster-response teams, while Tamil Nadu (including Chennai) is braced for heavy rainfall and lightning under orange and yellow alerts.
Even areas farther north such as Bengal are expected to feel the ripple effect, with the IMD forecasting thunderstorms, gusty winds and isolated heavy showers in districts like North 24 Parganas, Howrah and South 24 Parganas between 28–30 October.
With lives and livelihoods at stake, the emphasis remains on rapid evacuations, flood-proofing critical infrastructure, and ensuring uninterrupted relief operations. The coming hours will test the readiness of disaster-management machinery across the eastern coast.
