Cyclone Mantha's Fury: Red Alert in Andhra, Odisha As Storm Barrels Towards Coast

A special report on the severe cyclonic storm Mantha, which is set to make landfall on the coast of Andhra Pradesh, impacting the neighbouring state of Odisha as well. An official has stated, 'Red warning is issued for the district of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkanagi, where heavy to very heavy rainfall, even isolated, extremely heavy falls, very likely to occur.' With the storm expected to cross the coast near Kakinada, authorities have initiated large-scale preparations. Teams from the NDRF and SDRF have been deployed in vulnerable areas, and warnings have been issued to fishermen, farmers, and tourists. Coastal towns like Gopalpur and Kakinada are already experiencing torrential rain and high-speed winds, indicating the storm's intensity even before it makes landfall. The administration is on high alert, aiming for zero casualties by evacuating residents from low-lying areas to shelters.