Odisha To Feel Cyclone Montha's Impact From Tomorrow, Red Warning For 7 Dists

Bhubaneswar: Cyclonic storm, Montha, is likely to form over southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Sunday.

The deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal was about 930 km south-southeast away from Gopalpur in Odisha at 8.30 am. “It is likely to move nearly west-northwestwards, intensify further into a cyclonic storm over southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours. Thereafter it is likely to move northwestwards, then north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by morning of October 28.”

The weather office added that the system is likely to make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on the night of October 28 as a severe cyclonic storm. “It is very likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during evening/night of October 28 as a severe cyclonic storm.”

The storm is likely to bring sustained winds blowing at 90 to 100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph, and trigger heavy rainfall across southern coastal districts of Odisha from October 27.

RAIN WARNING FOR ODISHA

The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20cm) at isolated places in the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagarh, Gajapati, Ganjam and Kandhamal on October 27. Heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) may also occur at isolated places in Nuapada, Balangir, Boudh, Nayagarh, Khurda, Puri, Cuttack, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur.

The intensity of rain may increase in the subsequent two days.

A red warning of scattered heavy to very heavy falls (7 to 20cm) with isolated extremely heavy rainfall (>20cm) has been issued for Malakangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajpati and Ganjam districts on October 28, and Malakangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Rayagada on October 29.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20cm) may continue at isolated places in the districts of Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhmal, Nayagarh, Khhurda and Puri on October 28, and Nuapada, Balangir, Boudh, Kandhamal, Gajapati and Ganjam on October 29.

Yellow warning of heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) has been issued for Nuapada, Balangir, Sonepur, Bouadh, Angul, Dhenkanla, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bargarh, Sambhalpur and Deogarh on October 28, and Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Sambhalpur, Sonepur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Sundargarh, Keonjhar Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapada on October 29.

On October 30, heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) may occur at isolated places in the districts of Jarsuguda, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.

WIND WARNING

Squally weather with wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph may prevail along & off south Odisha coast from October 26 evening. It is likely to increase becoming 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph from October 27 evening and becoming gale wind speed reaching, 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph from October 28 evening to early hours of October 29. The wind speed may decrease gradually thereafter, becoming 45- 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph by October 29 evening.

Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph may also prevail from October 28 evening to early hours of October 29 along and off north Odisha coast, becoming 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph till October 29 evening and decrease gradually thereafter.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into Southwest, adjoining central Bay of Bengal, along & off Odisha coast till October 29.

PREPAREDNESS

Meanwhile, district administrations, disaster response teams, and local bodies in Odisha are on a high alert to tackle any possible emergency situation, especially in southern and coastal districts. District collectors have been directed to evacuate residents from low-lying and vulnerable areas.

Cyclone shelters have been readied for possible evacuations, and leave of government employees has been cancelled in nine vulnerable districts, including Puri and Khurda. The Puri administration has also restricted access to the beaches for three days, starting Monday.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said that 15 districts in coastal and southern Odisha are likely to be most affected by the impending cyclone.

LIKELY DAMAGE

According to the IMD, the approaching cyclonic storm could severely damage thatched homes and huts, with strong winds potentially blowing away rooftops and loose metal sheets. Power and communication lines may be disrupted due to damage, causing connectivity issues.Additionally, the agency warns of damage to kutcha roads, partial harm to pucca roads, and flooding of escape routes in multiple areas. Large trees may be uprooted, and branches or dead limbs could break, endangering people and property. Banana and papaya plantations are likely to face extensive destruction, while paddy, horticultural, and standing crops may suffer significant losses due to flooding and strong winds.

Intense rainfall could cause flooding and waterlogging in low-lying regions, particularly in coastal and southern districts. The IMD has warned of periodic low visibility, traffic disruptions, and underpass closures due to heavy rain and gusty winds. Landslides and mudslides are possible in hilly areas, potentially causing riverine flooding in certain catchments. Damage to embankments and salt pans are also expected in vulnerable coastal areas.

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