The new cyclonic storm, cyclone Montha, formed over the Bay of Bengal, has intensified into a depression and is likely to get stronger in the next few days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed. The weather system is driving Cyclone Induced Cyclonic Disturbance Montha, which has formed over the Arabian Sea and is heading towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. Authorities have issued alerts for heavy rains, strong winds, and rough seas along coastal areas as the cyclone approaches.
Where is the landfall expected?
The IMD says Cyclone Montha is now heading northwestward and is likely to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, close to Kakinada, on October 28. IMD office has declared red and orange alerts for 23 of the 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh, asking people to stay indoors and fishermen not to venture into the sea.
Odisha is also likely to experience the effect of the cyclone, with Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri districts put on high alert. The IMD has forecasted rain in ample measure in some parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Puducherry on October 28 to 29.
Also read- Cyclone Montha approaches Odisha Coast, administration on high alert
How Cyclone Montha get its name?
The name Montha was proposed by Thailand, which is one of the 13 nations providing names to cyclones over the North Indian Ocean region. In Thai, Montha translates to "a fragrant flower" or "beautiful flower." The coordination of naming cyclones is done by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) located in New Delhi, which is managed by the IMD under the guidance of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). A list of 13 names is submitted by each country, forming a pool of 169 names. IMD picks the next name when a new cyclone forms.
Citizens have been instructed to remain alert with the official weather bulletin and steer clear of the coastline until the cyclone dissipates.
