Cyclone Montha: Andhra on Red Alert, Mass Evacuations Underway

This special report covers the severe cyclonic storm Montha, set to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast, with IMD Director General Dr. Mrityunjay Mohapatra detailing the expected impact. Dr. Mohapatra stated, 'at the time of landfall, which will be completed by midnight of today, the wind speed will go on increasing up to 90 to 100 kilometers per hour, gusting to 110 kilometers per hour along and off Andhra Pradesh coast.' The report highlights the multi-hazard threat, including warnings of extremely heavy rainfall that could trigger floods in rivers like Godavari and lead to urban flooding and landslides in the Eastern Ghats. With a storm surge of one meter also predicted, authorities have initiated mass evacuations and put disaster response teams on high alert to mitigate damage to property, infrastructure, and standing crops.