Cyclone Montha has left a trail of destruction across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, disrupting road and rail links and causing widespread flooding. The severe cyclonic storm, which made landfall on Tuesday night near Kakinada, brought torrential rains and strong winds, leading to the collapse of homes, overflowing lakes, and snapped power lines.
Andhra Pradesh Grapples with Aftermath
In Andhra Pradesh, a 90-year-old woman in Palnadu died after a mud wall collapsed due to the heavy downpour. The storm, packing winds over 100 kmph, transformed coastal areas into expanses of floodwater and fallen trees. Although Kakinada city was spared major damage, high tides severely impacted the Uppada beach road, damaging homes of fisherfolk.
Preliminary assessments indicate that Cyclone Montha damaged crops across 87,000 hectares and damaged 380 km of roads and 14 bridges. The storm uprooted trees and snapped electric poles, inundating coastal villages in East Godavari and Krishna districts. Rajolu village on the Konaseema coast experienced severe flooding, forcing residents to relocate to relief centers. One confirmed fatality was reported in Konaseema district.
The Andhra Pradesh government evacuated over 180,000 people to 2,200 relief camps and is providing 50 kg of rice and essential commodities, along with ₹3,000 per family, to affected fisherfolk and handloom weavers. Other affected individuals will receive 25 kg of rice. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas and directed officials to quickly assess the losses for submission to the Union Government.
Telangana Reels Under Heavy Rainfall
Telangana faced the full force of Montha's rain bands, with several districts, including Warangal and Hanumakonda, recording the season's highest rainfall, exceeding 300mm. A portion of the Hyderabad-Srisailam highway near Nagarkurnool was washed away, leaving dozens of vehicles stranded. Railway services were severely affected, with tracks submerged at Dornakal station in Mahabubabad district, halting the Golconda Express.
In Warangal, 375 students were trapped for hours at the Welfare Degree College for Women before disaster response teams rescued them. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Hanumakonda, Warangal, and Mahabubabad districts, with 16 districts facing flash flood threats. Collector Ila Tripathi reported the rescue of over 500 students from a Gurukulam school in Kommapalli after floodwaters surrounded the campus.
The Musi River in Telangana surged after the release of excess water from twin reservoirs, prompting flood alerts for areas along the riverbanks. Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy directed officials to ensure the safety of residents in low-lying areas and coordinate rescue and relief operations.
Transportation Disrupted
The South Central Railway cancelled 127 trains and diverted 14 due to the cyclone. Several trains, including the Golconda Express and Konark Express, were halted or diverted due to flooded tracks. A Vande Bharat Express was stalled at Khammam, and approximately 60 passengers were transported to Warangal by bus.
As of Wednesday, 107 trains had been cancelled across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with routes connecting major cities like Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam affected. Air services were also disrupted, with 35 flights cancelled, including those between Visakhapatnam and Secunderabad.
Outlook and Warnings
Cyclone Montha weakened into a deep depression as it moved over Telangana and toward southern Chhattisgarh. However, the IMD has warned of continued heavy rainfall in several states, including West Bengal, Bihar, and Sikkim, until October 31. A flash flood risk remains for 14 districts in Telangana until 5:30 p.m. on October 30.
