Cyclone Montha Weakens After Andhra Landfall; IMD Warns of Heavy Rain

Cyclone Montha made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast before weakening into a cyclonic storm, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While the system has lost some strength, the IMD has issued alert warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall across central and northeast India for the coming days. The main keyword ‘Cyclone Montha landfall Andhra Pradesh’ features naturally in this introduction and sets the tone for a detailed look.

Details: Landfall, Weakening, and Immediate Impact

The storm struck the coast near Kakinada late Tuesday night, bringing sustained winds of 90–100 kmph and a storm surge of up to 3 metres. The IMD confirms the system has now downgraded from a “severe cyclonic storm” to a “cyclonic storm”, moving northwestwards into Telangana and nearby interior regions.

Across north coastal Andhra Pradesh, rainfall reached 14 cm in Visakhapatnam by morning, causing flooding in low-lying zones, landslide fears in hillside colonies and road blockages due to uprooted trees.

Immediately following landfall, one fatality was reported in Konaseema district when a palm tree collapsed onto a house. Crop damage is already estimated in the tens of thousands of hectares as power and travel disruptions mount.

Analysis: Why the Warning Remains Despite Weakening

A cyclone’s downgrade does not always mean the threat is over. Several factors keep the risk high for Montha’s aftermath:

Rainfall and flood risk

Even as wind speeds drop inland, the storm’s moisture yields heavy rainfall across multiple states. Regions in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and north Odisha are now under alert for flooding. The IMD expects isolated rainfall totals exceeding 20 cm in parts of north-coastal Andhra and adjoining districts.

Terrain, migration and vulnerability

Many affected regions—particularly coastal Andhra and Odisha—feature low-lying terrain, large agricultural basins and migrating labour populations with weaker evacuation links. This means heavy rain can trigger floods, landslides and crop losses even with a weakened storm front.

Crop and infrastructure damage

Early estimates suggest over 38,000 hectares of crop have been impacted. Power poles and lines have been felled in multiple districts, delaying restoration and compounding damage.

Reactions: Government, Disaster Agencies and Local Response

State governments in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have issued red and orange alerts. Thousands of residents in vulnerable regions were evacuated ahead of landfall and relief shelters established in coastal districts. Railway and airport operations were disrupted.

At the national level, disaster-response agencies point to improved preparedness: early warnings, multi-agency drills and technology-driven tracking have reduced potential casualties compared to storms of earlier decades. Analysts say Montha’s landfall and weakening pattern is consistent with forecasts but stress that the post-landfall rain threat remains large.

Bigger Picture: Climate, Patterns and Future Risks

Cyclone Montha reflects several broader trends:

• Warm-ocean intensification: Warmer Bay-of-Bengal waters are fueling stronger storms and heavier rainfall.
• Inland rain expansion: Coastal landfall is just the start—storms frequently spread heavy rain well into interior states, increasing flood risk.
• Crop-loss vulnerability: With agriculture still a major livelihood, storm-related losses raise food-security and rural-income concerns.
• Urban and rural exposure: Cities like Visakhapatnam face water-logging and debris, while rural areas struggle with weak infrastructure and evacuation links.

India’s disaster-management capabilities have improved, but this event highlights the need for sustained investment in resilient infrastructure, real-time forecasting and community awareness across the hinterland—not just the coast.

Conclusion

While Cyclone Montha may be weakening, the risk to central and northeast India remains high. Heavy rainfall, land-slide potential and infrastructure damage can linger for days. The storm’s evolution offers a critical reminder: the true test of cyclone readiness goes beyond landfall—it lies in what happens inland.

Communities, governments and agencies now face the real work of damage control, restoration and ensuring that the warnings convert into action. In the weeks ahead, how well India responds to Montha may shape responses to future storms that gain power in an increasingly warm climate.