Cyclone Montha: 2 dead in Kerala, people being evacuated in Odisha; red alert in Andhra, Bengal, and Tamil Nadu

The Odisha government has begun evacuating people from coastal areas to safer locations.

New Delhi: Cyclone Montha, formed in the Bay of Bengal, is rapidly moving towards the east coast. The threat of heavy rains and storm surges has increased in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert in several districts of these states.

Cyclone Montha approaching Andhra coast

Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Chief Prakhar Jain said that Cyclone Montha has begun to approach the coast. Rain and strong winds are lashing coastal districts. It is moving at a speed of 18 km per hour and is expected to make landfall on the Kakinada coast in the evening or night of October 28.

2 killed in Kerala

Heavy rains and strong winds in Kerala inundated low-lying areas, killing two people. The IMD has issued an orange alert in five districts. A fisherman’s boat capsized in Alappuzha, and another person died in Ernakulam due to lightning.

Odisha evacuating people from coastal areas

The Odisha government has begun evacuating people from coastal areas to safer locations. 128 rescue teams have been deployed in eight districts: Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal.

Pregnant women, the elderly, and the disabled are being given priority. Relief centres are equipped with food, medicine, lighting, and pet supplies. All schools and Anganwadi centres will remain closed until October 30.