Due to the intensifying cyclonic storm — named Montha, in the Bay of Bengal, the east coast of India is likely to be affected. The storm is expected to hit coastal areas with extremely heavy rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that a severe cyclonic storm is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal by October 26. The system is expected to intensify further and make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam during the evening or night of October 28.
As a result of the cyclone, Andhra Pradesh is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall from October 27-28, especially in parts of Yanam and Rayalaseema. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the entire state on October 26.
Odisha is also likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain on October 28 and 29, affecting districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri. Wind speeds are expected to increase to 60-70 km/h, with gusts of up to 80 km/h in some areas.
Where will it rain in Tamil Nadu?
Light rain with thunder and lightning is expected at isolated places over Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts today. Tiruvallur, Chennai, Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram districts are likely to witness light to moderate rains.
Heavy showers may start as early as October 25 in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpet and Puducherry and spread to Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Ranipet by October 26.
On October 27, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram and Vellore are expected to receive heavy rainfall with heavy showers in Chennai. By October 28, the rain is likely to ease and remain heavy mainly in Tiruvallur and Ranipet.
Read also | Cyclone Montha: Rains lash Hyderabad, Chennai on orange alert – as told by IMD
Where will the cyclone go?
The depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclone by Monday morning. According to the IMD, it may make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada during the evening or night of October 28.
What areas will be affected?
The storm is likely to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall over Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal along with strong winds and possible coastal flooding. Residents of affected areas were advised to remain vigilant and heed official warnings.
Read also | Heavy rain lashing Tamil Nadu – could low pressure system turn into a cyclone?
What is the current status of the storm?
The IMD said the depression over southeast Bay of Bengal has moved slightly west-northwest at 8 kmph in the last six hours.
“As of 23:30 on October 25, the center was near 11.0°N and 87.7°E – about 550 km west of Port Blair, 850 km east-southeast of Chennai and about 890 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam and Kakinada.”
The system is expected to strengthen into a “deep depression” by 26 October and further intensify into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of 27 October.
Read also | Cyclone Montha: Rains lash Hyderabad, Chennai on orange alert – as told by IMD
“It will continue to move northwestward and is likely to become a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28 before making landfall near Kakinada,” it added.
