Cyclone Montha intensifies over the Bay of Bengal; Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on high alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday, October 26, said a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is intensifying and is likely to become a severe cyclonic storm by October 28, raising alert in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and neighboring coastal states.

This cyclone has been named by Thailand as Montha, which means “fragrant flower” or “beautiful flower” in Thai language.

As of 0000 UTC on October 26, 2025, the system – currently centered near latitude 11.1°N and longitude 87.2°E – is about 610 km west of Port Blair, 790 km east-southeast of Chennai, 850 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 950 km south-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha.

Moving west-northwestwards at a speed of about 10 kmph, the depression is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm over south-west and adjoining west-central. bay of bengal Within the next 24 hours.

By October 28, it is forecast to reach severe cyclonic storm intensity with sustained winds of 90–100 kmph and gusts up to 110 kmph, and make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada between 1200 and 1800 UTC.

In response, disaster management authorities in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states have activated early warning systems. Odisha’s coastal districts, including Gopalpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur, have been put on high alert, with the local administration advising fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea.

Relief camps are being prepared, emergency response teams are being mobilized and evacuation plans are being reviewed to ensure quick action if necessary.

The Coastal Disaster Management Authority of Andhra Pradesh has issued advisories for districts like Kakinada, Krishna and Guntur, urging residents of low-lying areas to remain alert and follow official instructions. Ports on the east coast have been instructed to suspend operations if wind speeds increase and shipping traffic is being closely monitored.

Meanwhile, the IMD also reported an isolated depression over the east-central Arabian Sea, centered at 16.5°N and 66.8°E, about 700 km west-southwest of Mumbai.

The system is moving westwards at a speed of 7 kmph and is not expected to intensify significantly in the next 24 hours, but any sudden development is being closely monitored.