Cyclone Montha Chaos: Heavy Rains, Landslides Hit Andhra and Odisha

Cyclone Montha has unleashed chaos in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, damaging vast stretches of agricultural land and infrastructure. According to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office, crops spread over 1.76 lakh hectares have been completely ruined. Tragically, a woman lost her life in Makanagure village of Konasima district after a tree collapsed on her during the storm.

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Cyclone Weakens but Wreaks Havoc

Meteorologists confirmed that Cyclone Montha made landfall at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday along the Andhra coast and has since weakened into a deep depression. Despite losing intensity, the cyclone’s heavy rains and strong winds continue to batter the region. Trains on the South Central Railway have been cancelled or rescheduled, with 122 services halted due to unsafe conditions.

Massive Evacuations in Andhra Pradesh

Over 76,000 residents have been shifted to safe shelters as part of large-scale evacuation efforts. The state government has also set up 219 health camps to assist those affected. Emergency response teams remain on high alert as the cyclone moves northwest, leaving flooded villages and damaged roads in its wake.

Odisha Faces Landslides and Damage

Southern Odisha districts such as Malkangiri, Koraput, Raigarh, Gajapati, and Ganjam have suffered severe landslides following continuous heavy rainfall. Roads have been blocked, trees uprooted, and several homes destroyed. One person sustained serious injuries after a mud house collapsed in Mohana, Gajapati district. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that 2,000 relief camps have been set up and 153 rescue teams deployed, including NDRF, ODRAF, and fire services. Schools and colleges in nine districts will remain closed till Thursday.

Fresh Rain Warnings in Three States

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast very heavy rains in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha through Wednesday. A red alert has been issued in Prakasam, Nellore, East Godavari, Guntur, Krishna, Tirupati, and Eluru districts, while orange alerts cover several parts of Odisha, including Puri. The cyclone’s remnants have also triggered rainfall across Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, where Kolkata witnessed early morning showers.

Preparedness and Ongoing Relief Efforts

Authorities across all affected states are on standby with continuous monitoring and rapid response mechanisms. Disaster management teams are working round the clock to restore connectivity, clear debris, and deliver relief supplies to stranded villages. As the monsoon intensifies, residents have been urged to remain indoors and follow safety advisories.

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