Cyclone Montha Nears India: Red Alert In Odisha, Andhra; Thousands Evacuated

This special report focuses on the severe cyclonic storm Montha, which is set to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam. Extensive precautionary measures are underway in both Andhra Pradesh and the neighbouring state of Odisha, with reporter Tapas reporting from the affected Gopalpur beach. According to the IMD, a 'Red warning is issued for the district of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkanagiri, where heavy to very heavy rainfall, even isolated extremely heavy falls very likely to occur'. In response, authorities have deployed NDRF and SDRF teams, established hundreds of relief centres, cancelled trains, and evacuated thousands from low-lying and vulnerable areas to minimise damage and ensure zero casualties.