In this photo released by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), NDRF personnel warn residents of Cyclone Montha in Yanam, India’s Andhra Pradesh state, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. (NDRF via AP) | Photo credit: AP
In preparation for Cyclone ‘Montha’ making landfall on Tuesday evening, the National Disaster Response Force has deployed 25 teams across Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, while another 20 teams are on standby.
The cyclone over the central Bay of Bengal intensified into a severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday morning and started moving north-northwestwards towards Andhra Pradesh coast. The NDRF said the storm is expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada during the evening or night of October 28, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
A severe cyclonic storm is expected to hit with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph.
“The Director General NDRF has directed all formations to maintain a high level of readiness to provide immediate response to search, rescue and rescue operations,” the organization said in a press statement.
Each team is equipped with boats, cutting equipment, communication equipment and other specialized rescue tools to carry out evacuation, rescue and recovery operations. Coordination meetings are held with the National Disaster Management Authority and their counterparts at the state level and district administrations. NDRF teams are also conducting public awareness campaigns and community sensitization activities in vulnerable areas through local administrations to ensure timely evacuation and adherence to safety advisories.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also reviewed the preparedness of Indian Railways to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone through a video conference. The meeting assessed preparedness along the east coast, focusing on passenger safety, train regulation and coordination with local authorities.
The minister directed all railway zones to remain on high alert to ensure speedy resumption of operations after the cyclone. Divisional war rooms have been activated for real-time coordination, with equipment and teams on standby across Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Guntur divisions.
Published – 28 Oct 2025 20:23 IST
