Web Desk: Cyclone Montha slammed into India’s eastern coast late Monday, bringing torrential rains, powerful winds and coastal flooding that left thousands displaced and raised questions over the government’s readiness to handle yet another severe weather disaster.
The storm, classified as a severe cyclonic storm, made landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh with sustained winds of 90–100 km per hour, gusting up to 110 km/h. Authorities reported widespread damage to roads, coastal infrastructure and farmlands along the Krishna–Godavari belt, one of the region’s most densely populated and economically vital zones.
Coastal towns submerged, roads cut off
High tides lashed Kakinada’s coast, submerging parts of Machilipatnam, Uppada and Konaseema districts. Visuals showed eight kilometres of Beach Road in Kakinada damaged by surging waves, while fallen trees and electric poles blocked access routes to Manginapudi Beach and surrounding areas.
In Machilipatnam, farms were inundated as heavy rain continued for over 12 hours, while several fishing boats were trapped in harbours at Gopalpur port in Odisha, unable to return due to rough seas.
Authorities closed beaches and suspended ferry services, while schools across affected districts were ordered shut until October 31. More than 10,000 people were evacuated to temporary shelters, officials said.
Transport disrupted, flights and trains cancelled
Several flights were cancelled from Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry and Vijayawada, train services along the coastal corridor were halted due to waterlogging and strong winds. Power supply remained disrupted across multiple districts through the night.
Despite early warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), local residents and activists accused state authorities of being slow to respond. Emergency shelters were reported to be overcrowded and short of essential supplies in parts of East Godavari and Srikakulam.
Growing criticism over preparedness
Experts have criticised what they describe as the government’s reactive disaster management approach, saying that while pre-deployment of forces was announced, coordination between local administrations and central agencies remained weak.
“Despite decades of cyclones along this coast, basic preparedness from drainage infrastructure to emergency communication continues to lag,” said an environmental policy analyst in Visakhapatnam. “Every storm becomes a reminder of the same structural failures.”
Residents in southern Odisha, recalling the devastation of Cyclone Hudhud in 2014, expressed fears of another prolonged recovery. “We rebuilt after Hudhud, and now it’s happening again. We can’t start over every few years,” said a villager from Ganjam district.
Storm weakens but leaves trail of damage
By early Tuesday, Montha had weakened slightly while moving inland, but heavy rain continued across Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, raising concerns of flash floods in low-lying areas. Preliminary reports indicated extensive crop loss and damage to fisheries and housing.
Relief and restoration work was underway, with the NDRF and state agencies clearing debris and restoring road links. Officials said efforts were ongoing to reconnect power lines and distribute food and drinking water in evacuation camps.
As Cyclone Montha moves further north-west, forecasters warned of continued heavy rainfall in Chhattisgarh and Telangana. For millions across India’s eastern seaboard, the storm once again underscored the rising threat of climate-driven cyclones and the urgent need for stronger preparedness on the ground.
