Cyclone Montha: Andhra bars heavy vehicles on national highways from 7 pm; storm warning in TN
THE India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a storm warning for several Tamil Nadu ports as Cyclone Montha intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal and moved closer to the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Director B. Amudha said that Local Warning Signal No. 4 had been hoisted at Chennai, Ennore and Kattupalli ports, while Distant Warning Signal No. 2 was issued for Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Puducherry, and Karaikal ports.
"The warning is issued when gusty winds are likely to be experienced by ports and vessels at sea. It enables authorities to take precautionary measures to prevent damage," she said.
According to the latest RMC bulletin, surface winds are expected to reach speeds of 90 to 100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph, and fishermen have been strictly warned not to venture into the sea till October 29.
As 'Montha', which means "fragrant flower" in Thai, advanced towards land, heavy rain lashed several parts of northern Tamil Nadu.
Tiruvallur district recorded the highest rainfall in the last 24 hours, with 72 mm at Ponneri and 62 mm at Avadi.
Anticipating more downpour, District Collector M. Prathap declared a holiday for all schools on Tuesday.
The RMC said moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely at isolated places over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tirupattur, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and the southern coastal districts of Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Kanyakumari.
In Chennai, schools remained closed as a precautionary measure amid overnight showers.
The Greater Chennai Corporation has placed more than 2,000 motor pumps and 457 tree surgeons on standby to drain excess water and clear fallen trees. Relief centres at 215 locations have been equipped with food, sanitation, and medical facilities to assist residents in low-lying areas.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin made a surprise early morning inspection at the Command and Control Centre at Ripon Buildings to assess the city’s preparedness. The centre monitors rainfall, traffic flow, and water levels through a real-time surveillance network. Officials were instructed to address complaints received via the 1913 helpline and social media without delay.
With Montha expected to cross the Andhra coast later on Tuesday, authorities across northern Tamil Nadu remain on high alert for strong winds, heavy rainfall, and potential flooding.
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HEAVY vehicles will not be allowed to ply on national highways in Andhra Pradesh’s coastal districts from 7 pm on Tuesday, October 28, in view of severe cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal, officials said.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) announced restrictions on roads in the districts affected by the cyclone.
It said people should avoid travel unless absolutely necessary in view of the cyclone.
The APSDMA said Tuesday afternoon that the cyclone moved at a speed of 10 km per hour in the last six hours.
Currently centred 110 km from Machilipatnam, 190 km from Kakinada and 280 km from Visakhapatnam, it is likely to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada as a severe cyclone on Tuesday night with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the impact of the cyclone at the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) centre. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Ministers Nara Lokesh, V Anitha, P Narayana, Chief Secretary Vijayanand, and officials of various departments attended the review.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister that the cyclone is currently approaching the coast and its impact on the coastal Andhra districts has started. The rains and winds are intense in Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Visakhapatnam and other coastal areas.
The Chief Minister advised officials to be more vigilant in the cyclone-affected areas. He asked them to take appropriate measures after assessing the damage caused by previous cyclones.
He said rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) should be sent to Kakinada and the surrounding areas where the cyclone will cross the coast.
Officials were told to estimate the intensity of winds and rain in advance and take appropriate precautions.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that there is a possibility of heavy rains in Visakhapatnam, and the combined Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore districts.
The Chief Secretary said the Collectors of the cyclone-affected districts have already been put on full alert.
Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall of 21 centimetres and above at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Telangana and Rayalaseema.
Meanwhile, the IMD has issued a 'red' alert for several districts across Odisha: Scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places in the districts of Malakangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajpati and Ganjam.
