One killed as cyclone Montha hits Andhra Pradesh
Severe cyclonic storm Montha crossed the coast off Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, causing widespread disruptions in the southern Indian state. The impact was also felt in neighbouring Odisha, where normal life was affected across 15 districts.
An elderly woman died after a tree fell on her house in Konaseema district due to the cyclone’s impact. In a separate incident, a boy and an auto driver were injured as strong winds uprooted coconut trees in the same district.
The landfall process started around 7:00 pm, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, adding that the weather system will cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada.
It will continue to move north-northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the next two hours as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph, said the weather body IMD in its latest update.
Montha means a fragrant flower in the Thai language.
Kakinada, Krishna, Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari, Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema, and Chinturu and Rampachodavaram divisions of Alluri Sitarama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh are witnessing the maximum impact of the cyclone.
The state government has ordered the suspension of all vehicle movement in these seven districts from 8.30 pm on Tuesday to 6:00 am on Wednesday. The cyclone is likely to affect 403 mandals in 22 districts across the state.
The IMD cautioned that the cyclone may cause damage to standing paddy and vegetable crops in low-lying and inundated areas. Farmers have been advised to drain out excess water from fields wherever possible.
People have been urged to stay updated on weather bulletins and follow advisories issued by the administration for safety.
To ensure uninterrupted emergency communication, 81 wireless towers and 21 large lamps have been installed.
The government has also kept 1,447 earthmovers, 321 drones, and 1,040 chainsaws ready to clear uprooted trees.
As part of preparedness measures, 3.6 crore alert messages have been disseminated to residents across the state.
Between 8.30 am and 4 pm, Ulavapadu in Nellore district recorded 12.6 cm of rainfall, followed by Kavali (12.2 cm), Dagadarthi (12 cm), Singarayakonda (10.5 cm), B Kodur (6 cm), and Visakhapatnam and Tuni (2 cm each).
During a review meeting, officials informed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu that Nellore district had recorded the highest rainfall so far.
Source: NDTV