India evacuates thousands for Cyclone Montha as the cyclonic storm brews over the Bay of Bengal, threatening severe weather along the east coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday evening. Officials report nearly 50,000 people moved to safety by Monday afternoon. Evacuations target low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding and gusts up to 100 kmph. Central teams coordinate with state governments to deploy resources. This marks the first major cyclone of the season in the region.
The approach of Cyclone Montha underscores South Asia’s recurring vulnerability to tropical storms, where rapid intensification can overwhelm infrastructure and displace millions. In a region home to over 1.8 billion people, such events strain economies reliant on agriculture and fishing, potentially disrupting supply chains and exacerbating food insecurity. Effective evacuations, as seen here, highlight progress in disaster resilience, yet gaps in early warning for marginal communities persist, demanding regional cooperation on climate adaptation.
Authorities Evacuated Thousands for Cyclone Montha Over Bay of Bengal
The IMD classified the system as a cyclonic storm on Monday morning, with winds clocking 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph. It lies centred about 320 km southeast of Visakhapatnam. The storm moves northwest at 15 kmph, poised to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning. Heavy rainbands extend up to 60 km from the centre, fuelling concerns for flash floods in coastal belts.
Cabinet Secretary Dr T V Somanathan chaired a National Crisis Management Committee meeting on Sunday to assess readiness. He directed Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry governments to prioritise life-saving measures. “The aim should be to keep loss of lives to zero and minimise damage to property and infrastructure,” Dr Somanathan stated. Essential services must resume swiftly post-impact, he added.
Fishermen received alerts to return to shore. Over 110 fisherfolk evacuated from Hope Island in Kakinada Bay, per the National Database of Emergency Management. Ports from Paradip to Krishnapatnam suspended operations.
Cyclone Montha Andhra Pradesh Evacuation Ramps Up
Andhra Pradesh faces the brunt, with the storm set to cross near Kakinada. Officials expect 3.9 million residents affected across 10 districts. Evacuation of people from near the coast in Kakinada district has already started, a disaster management official confirmed.
In Kakinada and Konaseema regions, nearly 10,000 individuals shifted to relief camps by early Tuesday. Among them, 126 pregnant women received priority relocation to medical facilities. The state deployed 20 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 60 state units. Schools and colleges closed in coastal areas, while holidays for emergency staff cancelled.
Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao inspected shelters in East Godavari district. He urged residents to heed warnings and avoid rivers. Power outages loom in vulnerable spots, prompting backup generator deployments. Crop losses could hit paddy fields spanning 50,000 hectares, officials estimate.
Coastal roads cordoned off, and 65 trains cancelled between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. Airports at Rajahmundry and Vijayawada braced for disruptions. Tamil Nadu, to the south, prepared for heavy rains in Chennai, with orange alerts for nine districts.
Odisha 50,000 Evacuated Montha Storm Preparations
Odisha mobilised swiftly, targeting 32,528 evacuations from low-lying zones in eight southern districts. By Monday evening, over 3,000 residents moved, with operations accelerating overnight. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Kumar Pujari set “zero casualty” as the goal. “We have a target of evacuating 32,528 people from the vulnerable low-lying areas,” Pujari said.
The state stationed 128 Odisha Disaster Rapid Response Force (ODRRF) teams across Ganjam, Puri, and Jagatsinghpur. Cyclone shelters stocked with food, water, and medicines for 500,000 people. Fishermen in Paradip and Gopalpur returned vessels, with 200 boats secured.
Odisha 50000 Evacuated Montha Storm Alerts Issued
Secondary reports suggest up to 50,000 could require relocation if the storm veers north, aligning with broader Bay of Bengal forecasts. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed control rooms in Bhubaneswar. Heavy to very heavy rainfall expected, with 200 mm possible in 24 hours. Orange alerts cover Bhadrak and Balasore.
Evacuees include 500 from vulnerable habitations in Kendrapara. Women and children prioritised, with creches operational in shelters. The 1999 super cyclone, which killed nearly 10,000 in Odisha, informs current drills. Lessons from 2023’s Cyclone Michaung bolstered seawalls and mangroves.
Impacts on Livelihoods and Infrastructure
Salt pans in Ganjam district, employing 20,000 workers, face inundation risks. Aquaculture farms along the coast could lose INR 500 million (USD 6 million) in stock. Roads linking Cuttack to Paradip reinforced with sandbags.
In Andhra Pradesh, cashew plantations in Srikakulam district vulnerable to uprooting. The state allocated INR 100 crore for immediate relief. Nepal, further north, warned of rains and snowfall from Tuesday to Friday, affecting Himalayan treks.
Background: Lessons from Past Cyclones
India’s east coast endures 5-6 cyclones annually, per IMD data. The 1977 Andhra cyclone claimed 10,000 lives, spurring the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project. Today, 1,200 multi-purpose shelters dot the shoreline.
Cyclone Montha Andhra Pradesh evacuation draws from Fani’s 2019 playbook, when 1.2 million fled Odisha paths. Early satellite tracking via INSAT-3D aids precision warnings. Yet, climate change amplifies storm ferocity, with sea surface temperatures 1°C above average.
What’s Next: Post-Landfall Recovery
Post-landfall, aerial surveys will assess damage by Wednesday. Central teams stand ready with 11 NDRF battalions. Restoration of electricity and roads targets 48 hours. Long-term, mangrove restoration and resilient cropping eyed to mitigate future threats.
India evacuates thousands for Cyclone Montha, setting a benchmark for coordinated response in South Asia’s cyclone corridor.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, October 28th, 2025
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram, and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
