Kakinada: The sea off the Kakinada-Uppada coast in Andhra Pradesh turned turbulent on Monday as Cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal neared landfall. Strong winds and high waves lashed the shoreline, prompting authorities to issue red alerts across coastal districts.
Authorities on high alert
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of heavy rainfall and gale-force winds reaching up to 90 km/h along parts of East Godavari and adjoining regions. Local administration teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have been deployed for rescue and evacuation efforts.
District Collector officials urged fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea until further notice. Boat services have been suspended, and tourist access to beaches has been restricted amid the worsening weather.
Evacuation measures underway
Authorities have begun relocating residents from low-lying areas to relief shelters. In Kakinada, over 3,000 people were shifted as part of precautionary measures. Power utilities have been placed on standby to restore electricity in case of outages caused by strong winds or fallen trees.
IMD’s forecast
According to the IMD, Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall between Kakinada and Srikakulam, bringing intense rainfall to northern coastal Andhra and southern Odisha over the next 24 hours. The department also advised farmers to secure crops and livestock from potential storm damage.
Public urged to remain cautious
State officials have urged residents to follow safety guidelines and avoid coastal areas until conditions improve. Relief teams have been directed to ensure adequate food, water, and medical supplies at cyclone shelters.
The rough sea conditions are expected to persist through Tuesday as the cyclone system continues to move inland, weakening gradually.