India Launches Evacuation Ahead of Cyclone Landfall
Authorities in India relocated 50,000 people to temporary shelters on Monday as Cyclone Montha intensified over the Bay of Bengal, prompting large-scale disaster management operations across eastern states.
Officials confirmed that evacuations began in Andhra Pradesh’s coastal districts early morning, with residents moved inland as forecasts predicted severe wind and rainfall within the next twenty-four hours.
Cyclone Expected to Intensify Before Coastal Impact
Meteorological projections from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicate that Montha will evolve into a severe cyclonic storm before striking Andhra Pradesh’s coastline by Tuesday afternoon.
The system, forming over warm sea waters, has sustained wind speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour, with gusts expected to cause property damage and localized flooding in low-lying areas.
Disaster Teams Deployed and Schools Ordered Closed
State governments in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha canceled public holidays for emergency personnel, ordering schools and colleges closed as disaster management teams expanded operations across high-risk coastal zones.
National Disaster Response Force units and state emergency workers were deployed to reinforce embankments, distribute essential supplies, and coordinate evacuation transport in heavily populated districts.
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Relief Camps Prepared for Displaced Residents
Temporary shelters across coastal Andhra Pradesh have been equipped with food, medical supplies, and emergency communications infrastructure to accommodate evacuees for up to seventy-two hours after the cyclone’s landfall.
Officials emphasized coordination between district authorities and local police to ensure security, efficient aid distribution, and access to clean water amid potential infrastructure disruptions caused by torrential rainfall.
Fishermen Warned and Maritime Operations Suspended
Fishermen in both Andhra Pradesh and neighboring Odisha were advised to avoid sea ventures as authorities imposed temporary bans on fishing activities throughout the affected region.
Ports were closed and maritime operations halted, with coast guard units monitoring offshore vessels and coordinating communication with shipping operators rerouting to safer harbors.
Anticipated Impact Across Neighboring Regions
Government data suggests nearly 3.9 million people could be affected as Cyclone Montha traverses the east coast, bringing heavy rainfall to adjoining states and potentially impacting inland river basins.
Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have issued localized warnings, while Nepal’s authorities alerted trekkers about heavy rainfall and snow risk as remnants of the storm move northward.
Historical Context and Preparedness Measures
Cyclones are recurrent along India’s eastern seaboard, typically forming between April and December, with the 1999 Odisha super cyclone remaining one of the nation’s deadliest weather disasters.
Officials note that enhanced early-warning systems, improved coordination, and preemptive evacuation measures have significantly reduced casualties in recent years compared with earlier large-scale cyclone events.
