India is undertaking massive evacuations along its eastern coastline as Cyclone Montha intensifies over the Bay of Bengal. As of Monday, October 27, 2025, authorities have moved tens of thousands of people to relief camps in preparation for the storm's expected landfall on Tuesday, October 28.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red and orange alerts for multiple districts in Andhra Pradesh, as well as warnings for Tamil Nadu and Odisha. Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, with wind speeds reaching up to 110 kmph. The storm is predicted to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall, squally weather, and rough sea conditions to the region.
In Andhra Pradesh, five districts—Kakinada, East Godavari, Konaseema, Eluru, and West Godavari—are on high alert. The government has already moved nearly 50,000 people to relief camps. Over 6,000 residents from 34 coastal villages have been shifted to relief centers in the Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema district. Authorities are prioritizing the evacuation of people living in flood-prone zones and unstable structures. Schools have been closed through October 31, and fishing operations have been suspended. Furthermore, 428 expectant mothers were moved to health facilities.
The Odisha government has also begun evacuating residents from vulnerable and low-lying areas. They have deployed 128 disaster response teams across eight southern districts, including Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, and Kalahandi. The state aims to complete evacuations by 5 pm on Monday, with a goal of "zero casualties". A red warning has been issued for extremely heavy rainfall and winds gusting up to 80 kmph.
In West Bengal, the IMD has forecast heavy rainfall between October 28 and 31. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from October 28 to 30, and those already in deep waters have been told to return by October 27. The storm is expected to bring rain to southern Bengal districts including Kolkata, South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Howrah, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, and Hooghly from October 27.
Authorities have cancelled holidays for emergency staff and ordered schools and colleges to close in coastal areas. Power and telecom services are on backup, with NDRF and SDRF teams stationed across vulnerable zones. The Indian Army is also on high alert as Cyclone Montha approaches.
The IMD has been closely monitoring Cyclone Montha, which was moving northwestwards over the Bay of Bengal at a speed of 15 kmph. The storm is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by October 28 morning. The agency has issued a storm surge warning, anticipating a rise in sea levels during landfall.
Residents are stocking up on essential supplies such as food, water, medicines, and fuel, fearing power outages and disruptions. In Visakhapatnam and nearby districts, memories of the 2014 Hudhud cyclone have prompted locals to take extra precautions.
Neighboring Nepal is also bracing for the impact of Cyclone Montha. Disaster authorities have warned of possible rain and snowfall from Tuesday through Friday and advised trekkers to keep alert.
