The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday confirmed that the landfall process of Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha has begun and is expected to continue for the next three to four hours.
According to the IMD, the storm is moving north-northwestwards and is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, within this period. It is expected to maintain its intensity as a severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 90–100 km/h, gusting up to 110 km/h.
In its latest update, the IMD stated, “It will continue to move north-northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, around Kakinada, during the next three to four hours as a severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 90–100 km/h, gusting to 110 km/h.”
In anticipation of heavy rainfall across 39 constituencies of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed ministers, MPs and MLAs to extend all necessary assistance to those affected.
