Watch: It rains in Andhra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu as Cyclone Montha turns into a severe storm

Ankita Jain,

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The threat of severe weather is looming over the east coast as Cyclone Montha has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Tamil Nadu, urging coastal residents to stay indoors and fishermen to stay away from sea operations.

According to IMD, “The Cyclonic storm ‘Montha’ [Pronunciation: Mon-Tha] West Central Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards at a speed of 15 kmph during last 6 hours, intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and lay centered at 0530 hrs IST today, October 28, over the same area, near latitude 14.7°N and longitude 83.1°E, about 190 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 270 km. “South-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 340 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 550 km south-southwest of Gopalpur (Orissa).”

It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the evening/night of today, October 28, as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.

Heavy rain and strong winds have already started in parts of the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, including Nellore, Machilipatnam and Kakinada.

IMD officials also warned about rough sea conditions with waves reaching 4.7 meters in height. “Light to moderate rain over most of coastal areas Andhra PradeshIMD said, heavy to very heavy rainfall in some areas and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places will occur till October 29.

In Tamil Nadu, light to moderate rain at isolated places with thunderstorm and lightning is likely at one or two places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal region. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Tiruvallur district. Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram and Tirunelveli districts have also been placed under rain warning.

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The department has also issued an advisory for fishermen, warning of wind speed ranging from 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph along Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and Andhra-Odisha coasts. Sea conditions are expected to remain very rough till October 29, thereafter gradually reducing.

What does ‘Montha’ mean?

Name Month Was suggested by Thailand, meaning a beautiful or fragrant flower. According to Moneycontrol, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) authorizes six Regional Specialized Meteorological Centers (RSMC) and five Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers globally to monitor and name cyclones.

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