Bhubaneswar, October 27: With Cyclone ‘Montha’ intensifying over the Bay of Bengal and expected to make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on October 28, the Odisha government has placed eight southern districts under red alert. Authorities are preparing for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flash floods as the system moves inland after landfall.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Montha formed late Saturday night over the central Bay of Bengal and is currently located about 850 km southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 680 km southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), moving west-northwestward at 16 kmph. The cyclone is likely to intensify further before making landfall on Tuesday night, potentially triggering severe weather conditions in southern Odisha.
Eight Districts in Red Zone
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said that Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal districts have been declared red zones due to the high probability of very heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and localised flooding over the next 48 hours.
Following a high-level review meeting, the minister announced that 128 rescue and response teams have been deployed across the vulnerable districts, including 24 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units, 5 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, and 99 Fire Services units.
Large-Scale Deployment Underway
In Malkangiri, authorities have stationed three ODRAF teams, one NDRF unit, and eight Fire Services squads, while Koraput has three ODRAF, one NDRF, and fourteen Fire Services teams on standby. Nabarangpur and Rayagada have ten and eleven Fire Services teams respectively, while Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, and Kalahandi have been reinforced with several additional units.
Two NDRF teams are already positioned in Koraput and Malkangiri, with more en route to Rayagada, Gajapati, and Kandhamal. The minister confirmed that each red-zone district has at least three ODRAF teams to ensure quick response and search-and-rescue operations.
Evacuation and Precautionary Measures
According to the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), evacuation of residents in low-lying and vulnerable areas is expected to be completed by 5 PM today. Authorities have arranged cyclone shelters, food stock, and medical facilities to accommodate evacuees and ensure their safety.
The Odisha government continues to closely monitor the cyclone’s trajectory and has urged citizens to remain indoors, avoid coastal areas, and follow official advisories. The next 48 hours will be crucial in determining the storm’s intensity and impact across southern Odisha.
