Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday ordered the immediate evacuation of residents from coastal regions to rehabilitation centres as Cyclone Montha intensified after making landfall along the state’s coast over the Bay of Bengal. During a review with district collectors and disaster management officials, Naidu directed authorities to ensure zero loss of life, facilitate swift relocation from vulnerable areas, and maintain 24x7 coordination for rescue, relief, and restoration operations.
State on full Alert; RTGS monitoring in place
The Andhra Pradesh government is on high alert as Cyclone Montha advances further inland. Chief Minister Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh are personally monitoring developments through the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) war room, coordinating efforts with district administrations and central agencies. Massive evacuation drives are underway in low-lying areas, with over 400 relief camps established. Teams from the NDRF and SDRF have been fully deployed for rescue and relief operations.
PM Modi assures full central support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to review the state’s preparedness for Cyclone Montha. The Prime Minister assured all possible central assistance to help the state tackle the situation effectively. According to an official release, CM Naidu briefed PM Modi about the precautionary and relief measures being taken, including evacuation, shelter arrangements, and deployment of disaster response teams. PM Modi emphasized the need for continuous coordination between central and state agencies to ensure swift response and minimum damage.
IMD forecast: Landfall near Kakinada on October 28
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Montha is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28 and move north-northwestwards. It is likely to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, by evening or night, bringing wind speeds of 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph, along with heavy rainfall and rough sea conditions.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for coastal districts, advising residents to stay indoors, avoid coastal areas, and adhere to official safety advisories. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is forecast over Coastal Andhra Pradesh (October 27–29), Odisha (October 28–29), and Chhattisgarh (October 28).
Relief measures and safety protocols intensified
During a high-level meeting, Naidu directed officials to release hourly cyclone bulletins and provide real-time public updates. Over 2,700 villages have been identified as vulnerable, and 3,211 generators have been arranged as power backups across 110 mandals. Relief camps are stocked with essential items, including 25 kg of rice per person.
To ensure uninterrupted communication, the Chief Minister has ordered the deployment of satellite phones and mobile towers in high-risk zones. Schools in vulnerable districts have been closed, and control rooms have been set up in all districts.
Post-Cyclone focus on restoration, health and agriculture
Naidu instructed officials to prioritise sanitation, healthcare, and crop protection once the cyclone subsides. Ambulance services (108 and 104) will remain operational, while anti-snake venom and anti-rabies vaccines have been stocked in all Primary Health Centres (PHCs). Over 851 JCBs and 757 power saws have been deployed for emergency restoration of roads and power infrastructure.
CM reviews district-level preparedness
The Chief Minister also held a detailed review with district officials, instructing them to take proactive steps in areas prone to heavy rainfall and flooding. He directed authorities to strengthen canal embankments to prevent crop damage and to continuously monitor the cyclone’s path and intensity.
According to official reports, Krishna district is expected to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall for the next two days, while Guntur, Bapatla, NTR, Palnadu, and West Godavari districts are also likely to experience intense downpours.
Public advised to remain vigilant
Authorities have urged residents to cooperate with evacuation efforts, avoid unnecessary travel, and remain alert as Cyclone Montha continues to impact coastal Andhra Pradesh.
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