India Launches Massive Evacuation Ahead of Cyclone Montha

As Cyclone Montha gets stronger over the Bay of Bengal, Indian officials have evacuated tens of thousands of people from coastal areas. On Monday, disaster teams started moving families, and about 50,000 people have already been transported to relief shelters in Andhra Pradesh.

The India Meteorological Department said that Montha might become a strong storm before hitting the coast of Andhra Pradesh late Tuesday. Emergency workers have been sent to many states to try to keep the number of deaths as low as possible.

Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on High Alert

Officials in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have told schools and institutions in coastal regions that are likely to be struck the hardest to close. Emergency workers can’t take time off for the holidays, so they are always ready for disasters.

People are already being evacuated in the Kakinada neighborhood. The cyclone’s landfall and the flooding that followed might affect around 3.9 million people, according to state officials.

Disaster Teams Mobilized to Assist Evacuees

Disaster response teams have spread out over communities that are at risk, and their main goal is to move families from low-lying areas to safer land. Food, water, and medical supplies are being sent to relief camps in case of widespread devastation.

Fishermen around the eastern coast, especially in Odisha, have been told not to go out to sea since the winds and waves are predicted to get much stronger.

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Cyclone Season Makes India More Vulnerable

From April to December, cyclones often hit India’s east coast, and many of them cause a lot of damage and loss of life. The super cyclone that hit Odisha in 1999 and killed about 10,000 people is still one of the worst storms in the country’s history.

Meteorologists indicate that Cyclone Montha’s predicted course is similar to that of numerous storms that have caused catastrophic floods and damage to infrastructure in coastal regions.

Tamil Nadu and Chennai Get Ready for a Lot of Rain

Officials in Tamil Nadu, a state in the south, have told people to stay cautious as the storm sends heavy to extremely severe rain to many areas. Flash floods are especially dangerous in Chennai, the capital of the state.

Storms in the past, such as Cyclone Michaung in 2023, flooded huge parts of the city. This showed how important it is to have better drainage systems and early warnings.

Nepal Issues Advisory for Rain and Snowfall

People think that Montha will have impacts that go beyond India’s boundaries. Nepal’s disaster officials have warned that there will be a lot of rain and snow from Tuesday to Friday. They have told trekkers and those who live in the mountains to be careful.

This month, the country has already seen terrible floods and landslides that killed 53 people and forced hundreds of others to leave their homes in rural areas.

Authorities Urge Preparedness and Caution

As the storm gets closer to shore, India’s disaster management organizations are stressing the importance of early evacuation, safe shelters, and coordinated rescue attempts. Officials said that what they learned from earlier storms is helping them respond to emergencies more quickly and in a more organized way.

People who live in coastal areas should stay indoors, not travel, and do what local officials say until things get better later this week.