Cyclone Montha: Landfall today, heavy rain alert in TN, Odisha; PM Modi speaks to Andhra CM | Highlights

As Cyclone Montha moves closer to the eastern coast, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to take immediate action to safeguard lives and minimise damage in coastal areas, a release said.

As per the release, during a teleconference from the RTGS Centre at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister instructed district collectors and superintendents of police to "shift residents of vulnerable coastal areas to rehabilitation centres without any delay".

Indigo issued a travel advisory for passengers as cyclone Montha approaches Andhra Pradesh.

"Due to prevailing cyclone conditions and heavy rainfall expected in and around #Vijayawada, #Visakhapatnam and #Rajahmundry, flight operations to and from these cities are affected. We advise all customers to check their flight status at https://t.co/4fxgr5orzK before heading to the airport. As waterlogging and traffic congestion are anticipated, please plan your journey with extra travel time. In case of flight cancellations, customers can easily explore flexible rebooking options or claim a refund via https://t.co/M20mZ7BKV1. Your safety and comfort remain our top priority, please stay safe and take care," the advisory read.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the Meteorological Department on Monday forecast high sea waves along the Andhra Pradesh coast from Nellore to Srikakulam, ranging between 2 and 4.7 metres, as cyclone 'Montha' is set to intensify into a cyclonic storm on the morning of October 28.

BJP National President JP Nadda has directed party units in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andaman and Nicobar to join the rescue and relief operations as cyclone nears Kakinada, ANI reported.

Four districts in Tamil Nadu, including state capital Chennai, received heavy rainfall on Monday even as Cyclone Montha approaches landfall. 'Montha' is currently located in the Bay of Bengal, about 480 km east of Chennai, the Regional Meteorological Centre said, according to PTI.

The India Meteorological Department has issued rain and landslide alerts for several districts in Odisha even as Cyclone Montha approaches, PTI reported. IMD Director Manorama Mohanty appealed to people to exercise caution, while also saying that Andhra Pradesh was expected to be the most affected region.

Cyclone Montha was centred in southwest & adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, and was moving northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph at 05:30 hrs Indian Standard Time (IST).

It was centred near latitude 12.2°N & longitude 85.3°E, about 560 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 620 km south-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 650 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 790 km south of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 810 km west of Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).

The India Meteorological Department said that heavy rain is expected in several districts across West Bengal from Tuesday to Friday.

It warned of the possibility of landslides in the hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts and waterlogging in low-lying areas in the plains.

The India Meteorological Department said that Cylone Montha is likely to bring heavy rain in several districts across West Bengal from Tuesday.

In a special bulletin, the IMD said that the weather system, situated over the Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu over the phone and enquired about Cyclone Montha, following which state IT minister Nara Lokesh has been directed to coordinate with the PMO.

CM Naidu also directed officials to take precautionary measures in place where there is scope for rains and floods. He held a review meeting with officials over the cyclone at Real Time Governance System (RTGS).

"The CM ordered advance action in places where rains and floods are likely. He told officials to strengthen the banks of canals to prevent crop loss," an official release said.

Cyclone Montha Live Tracking: As per the IMD nowcast, ahead of the landfall of Cyclone Montha, an orange alert has been activated for more districts in Tamil Nadu.

As per the nowcast, an orange alert is active for heavy rain in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Ranipet, Kancheepuram, and Chengalapattu.

Cyclone Montha Live Tracking: As per weather officials, heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong surface winds are expected in Chennai and three other districts on Monday.

This rainfall alert comes as cyclonic storm Montha is expected to lay centred at around 2.30 pm at about 600 km east-southeast of Chennai.

B Amudha, Director, Regional Meteorological Centre, told news agency PTI that heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected in Ranipet, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram along with Chennai.

Heavy rainfall is expected in Villupuram, Chengalpattu and Puducherry.

Cyclone Montha Live Tracking: With Cyclone Montha expected to intesify by Tuesday morning, Chennai continues to brace for heavy rainfall. The Tamil Nadu capital is currently under an orange alert for heavy rain for October 28 and 29.

This warning from the IMD comes as the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal advanced into a cyclonic storm as it moved north-northwestwards. By Tuesday morning, IMD said the storm will intensify into a ‘severe cyclonic storm’

Cyclone Montha Live Tracking: As per the IMD, cyclonic Storm “Montha” has continued to move northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centered at 0530 hrs IST on Monday.

The storm is currently in the southwest & adjoining areas of Westcentral and southeast Bay of Bengal, about 560 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 620 km south-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 650 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 790 km south of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 810 km west of Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).

Cyclone Montha Live Tracking: As per the latest update shared by the Indian Meteorological Department, cyclonic storm Montha is likely to continue to move northwestwards over southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal during next 12 hours.

The weather department changed the ladnfall time and has stated that Montha is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by morning of 28th October. Earlier statements said that storm would make landfall by Tuesday night

Weather news: Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are likely to see scattered light rain on Monday and Tuesday due to an approaching western disturbance, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

While no rain is expected for Wednesday – the day the Delhi government plans to attempt cloud seeding in northwest Delhi – the city is still likely to see cloudy skies, officials said.

IMD said the western disturbance will bring moist easterly winds back and will also increase the nighttime temperature by two to three notches by Tuesday. Read more here

Cyclone Montha Live Tracking: The Indian Army said on Sunday it has been placed on high alert in view of the developing cyclonic systems over both the East Central Arabian Sea and the South East Bay of Bengal, one of which - the latter - is expected to intensify over the next 48 hours into Cyclone ‘Montha’.

"The situation is being closely monitored in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and respective state governments," ANI news agency quoted Indian Army as saying.

Cyclone Montha Live Tracking: With cyclonic storm Montha expected to intensify and turn into a 'severe' storm, the IMD has issued a storm surge warning for Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry.

"Storm surge of height about 1 m above astronomical tide is likely to cause inundation over low-lying areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam (of Puducherry) around the landfall time," reads the press release issued by the IMD on Sunday.

'Severe' cyclonic storm Montha is expected to cross Andhra Pradesh and make landfall by Tuesday night.

Cyclone Montha Live Tracking: The IMD has issued an orange alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for October 27 and 28. This warning comes as cyclonic storm Montha nears the eastern coast of India.

Furthermore, an orange alert for rain is active for Chennai and other districts on Monday as states nearby prepare for Montha's landfall.

Cyclone Montha Live Tracking: The Odisha government has started evacuating people from vulnerable places and deployed 128 team of disaster response teams in eight districts. This effort comes as IMD forecasts the formation of a cyclonic storm by next morning as a deep depression gains strength in the Bay of Bengal.

"The system is likely to move nearly west-northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm over southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal during the next 12 hours," the IMD said on Sunday night, adding that thereafter it is likely to move northwestwards, then north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28.

Cyclone Montha Live Updates: Deep depression ‘Montha’ over the Bay of Bengal is expected to bring heavy rain in some districts of West Bengal from October 28-31, the IMD said on Sunday.

The weather department further advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the West Bengal coast till October 30 and asked all those already in the waters to return by Monday.

The weather system, which is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast as a severe cyclone on October 28 night, will bring light to moderate rain in some south Bengal districts, such as Kolkata, South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Howrah, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and Hooghly.

Cyclone Montha Live Updates: Odisha Revenue & Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, ensured that the state is fully prepared with all the safety measures ahead of the potential Cyclone Montha.

As per an ANI report, the state minister said that eight districts have been identified as "most vulnerable" and all the respective departments are instructed to be alert and active.

"The Odisha government has prepared extensively for the impending cyclone, which is currently 930 kilometres away from the Odisha coast and moving towards the west and northwest. Eight districts of the state have been identified as highly vulnerable... We reviewed readiness with officials, identifying vulnerable points, and alerting relevant departments such as energy, PR, RD, health, and agriculture... Cyclone centres, relief centres, and plot centres are ready... The water resources department has started releasing water from reservoirs," he was quoted as saying.

Cyclone Montha Live Updates: As cyclonic storm Montha nears the east coast, the IMD has issued an orange alert for Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Ranipet.

Amid the heavy rain alerts, an official announcement has not been made regarding school closure. Hence, schools and colleges will function as per their schedule.

Cyclone Montha Live Updates: The Odisha government on Sunday put all 30 districts on alert as the depression in the Bay of Bengal - Montha - intensified into a deep depression.

Odisha is set to experience very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on October 28 and 29, officials added further.

Furthermore, the weather office also hoisted Distant Cautionary Signal No-I (DC-1) at all ports of Odisha and advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till October 29.

Cyclone Montha Live Update: As per the IMD, a red alert has been issued for parts of Andhra Pradesh. According to the warning system on the official IMD website, a red alert is active for Kakinada, Kona Seema, Eluru, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Baptala, Prakasam and SPSR Nellor districts.

Meanwhile, a two-day school holiday has also been declared across certain districts of the southern state.