A tempestuous night along the Bay of Bengal’s eastern rim has given way to a fragile calm — for now. Cyclone Montha, which made landfall off the coast of Andhra Pradesh on 28 October, is slowly weakening, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). ABC News+2India TV News+2 But while the cyclone’s wind-engine is losing power, the deluge it carries has yet to relent — and the danger is not over. Heavy rain warnings ring through large parts of the east and northeast, as thousands of villages remain vulnerable to flooding, landslides and storm-driven ruin.
For the residents of low-lying coastal Andhra and southern Odisha, relief is uneasy: the cyclone’s peak may be behind them, but its after-shock threatens to last days. This is not just a meteorological event—it is a crisis of planning, response, climate change, and human resilience.
Storm’s Arrival and Trajectory
A powerful build-up
The story of Cyclone Montha began over the latter days of October, when a low-pressure system above the west-central Bay of Bengal began to organise. According to the IMD, the disturbance developed into a depression by the 26th, then into a cyclonic storm, and by the morning of 28 October had matured into a severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained winds of 90–100 km/h and gusts up to 110 km/h. mint+2The Times of India+2
It was tracked advancing north-northwestwards at roughly 15 km/h, heading for a landfall zone between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, near the port city of Kakinada. News On Air+2The Economic Times+2
The landfall
Late on 28 October, Montha began to make landfall. The IMD stated that the landfall process had commenced with wind speeds near 90–100 km/h. www.ndtv.com+2India TV News+2 Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh — including Kakinada, West Godavari, East Godavari — bore the brunt of the initial strike, followed by penumbral impacts in Odisha and Telangana. mint+1
Weakening inland but threat persists
Once ashore, Montha began shedding strength — downgraded to a deep depression as it moved inland across Andhra and adjoining states. India TV News+1
But the IMD cautioned: a weakened storm does not mean a safe storm. Even as the winds die down, heavy to very heavy rainfall — especially over vulnerable coastal and inland zones — remains a serious hazard. moneycontrol.com+1
Data Snapshot: Weather, Alerts & Impacts
Wind & Rainfall Data
Max sustained winds at landfall: ~90–100 km/h; gusts up to ~110 km/h. www.ndtv.com+1
Rainfall: In Odisha’s Gajapati district, 150.5 mm; Mayurbhanj, 105 mm; Balasore, 93.5 mm; Khurda, 90 mm. The Times of India
IMD issued alerts such as “Extremely heavy rainfall (≥21 cm) likely at isolated places” over Coastal Andhra & Yanam during 27-29 Oct. moneycontrol.com
Evacuation & Relief Measures
Tens of thousands evacuated prior to landfall: In Andhra, ~50,000 moved to relief camps. Reuters+1
In Guntur district alone: 92 relief camps activated, nearly 6,000 evacuated. The Times of India
Schools & colleges shut, fishing and boating banned in affected coastal zones. India TV News+1
Damage and Early Losses
According to Andhra government preliminary figures: 43,000 hectares of crops damaged. News On Air
In Andhra and West Godavari districts: ready-to-harvest paddy fields submerged and decaying, causing significant losses. The Times of India
Immediate Impacts: On the Ground
Coastal flooding & storm surge
Though the storm was moderate compared to past devastating cyclones, coastal impacts were real. Authorities reported storm-surge of about one metre above astronomical tide in some zones of eastern Andhra coast. India TV News+1 Low-lying villages by the sea reported tidal inundation, blocked drains, uprooted trees, and disabled power lines.
Disrupted infrastructure
In Machilipatnam, a flex-board fell onto a 33 kV power line, causing a blackout. India TV News Transport suffered too: train cancellations, flights diverted, and fishing operations suspended as seas turned rough. www.ndtv.com+1
Agricultural losses & livelihoods at risk
Farmers in parts of the Krishna, West Godavari and Eluru districts, who had planted early-yield paddy, now find their fields waterlogged. As one farmer put it: “The crop was just days away from harvest. Everything we invested — seed, fertilizer, labour — is gone.” The Times of India Aquaculture and shrimp farms, dependent on coastal lands, are also under threat from inundation and salinization.
Inland heavy rains & secondary hazards
Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand are under heavy rainfall alerts even as the cyclone moves inland. Flooding of rivers, landslides and waterlogging are real dangers. In Odisha, heavy rain triggered landslides and uprooted trees in hilly southern districts. India TV News+1
Human stories: resilience & risk
At a relief camp in Narasapuram mandal, an evacuee recounted: “We heard the sirens, the town speaker blared—so we packed our things and came down to the shelter. We still fear the water will come back.” Officials say they are monitoring for snakebites, viral fevers and contamination of drinking water—common post-cyclone health risks. The Times of India
Investigative Insight: Preparation, Response & Wider Trends
Pre-emptive evacuation – lessons from the past
India’s east coast remains one of the world’s most cyclone-prone zones. The ghost of the 1999 1999 Odisha Cyclone—which killed nearly 10,000 people—still haunts disaster planners. Reuters+1
In the case of Montha, authorities reacted early: evacuation orders, camp activations, bans on fishing and travel. While many lives were saved, the speed of mobilisation varied district by district—raising questions about readiness in more remote or economically weaker areas.
Systemic bottlenecks: infrastructure and communication
While the IMD provided timely warnings, some reports indicate local alerts and evacuations followed with delay. In districts with weaker governance or communications, low-lying hamlets remain exposed. The interplay of land-acquisition, shell-housing, and informal settlements adds complexity when evacuating.
The climate change dimension
Meteorologists say that while Montha was not among the most powerful cyclones recorded, its heavy rainfall and inland propagation reflect evolving patterns: warmer seas, higher moisture loads, slower-moving storms. An article in Down to Earth flagged “twin cyclonic threats” in the north Indian Ocean region this season. Down To Earth The IMD’s own data show an upward trend in heavy-rain events even for moderate storms.
Agriculture & rural distress under-appreciated
Crop damage figures—43,000 hectares plus more anecdotal losses—point to a wider issue: farmers near the coasts are increasingly vulnerable. The costs of inputs rise but insurance claim processing lags. As one farmer in West Godavari lamented, debt is mounting. The Times of India There is concern that rural households reliant on such crops or fish/shrimp farming may face liquidity crisis.
Multi-state coordination: strengths & gaps
The cyclone affected not just Andhra, but Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal, even Tamil Nadu in its rain shadow. But disaster response systems vary by state: Odisha, with decades of cyclone experience, had clear protocols; Andhra and Telangana had to quickly scale up operations. Inter-state data sharing, relief logistics and resource deployment still show disparity.
Expert Perspectives
Dr R.K. Jenamani, Senior Scientist, IMD:
“Cyclone Montha’s trajectory, landfall timing and wind-speeds were well predicted. The bigger challenge now lies in managing the rainfall-induced flooding inland and how quickly relief and drainage can be mobilised.” News On Air
Ms Anne Kleffner, Climate-Risk Analyst (Global Maritime Logistics Firm):
“What we’re observing is a shift: storms that lose their category status yet still carry enormous moisture inland. India’s east coast infrastructure—railways, highways, power grids—needs to build not just for high winds, but for sustained deluge.”
Govt Official in Andhra Pradesh (anonymous):
“We evacuated tens of thousands, but the speed of waterlogging in inland areas surprised us. Drainage lines failed or were blocked, and power downtime prolonged operations at camps.”
Background Context: Why This Matters
India’s eastern seaboard—from Tamil Nadu through Andhra Pradesh, Odisha up to West Bengal—has long been a cyclone corridor. The combination of warm Bay of Bengal waters, coastal lowlands, and dense settlement means high exposure. Over decades:
The Sagar Mala programme, investment in coastal infrastructure, and disaster-management frameworks have improved resilience.
However, climate-change models suggest storms may become more frequent, slower moving, and wetter—making flooding the bigger risk rather than just wind damage.
Many coastal communities rely on agriculture, aquaculture, fishing—livelihoods especially sensitive to year-end storms between October and December.
In that larger frame, Montha underscores two converging risks: traditional cyclone impact + amplified rainfall/flooding hazards.
Future Implications & What Lies Ahead
Short-term (next 72 hours)
Heavy rain alerts remain active in eastern districts of West Bengal (South 24 Parganas, Medinipur, Jhargram) and Jharkhand, Bihar. India Today+1
Inland rivers and tributaries may swell; disaster teams must monitor evacuations from low-lying zones and hill-slide prone belts.
Restoration of power, communications and drinking-water safe supply will determine how quickly the “recovery” phase begins.
Medium-term (weeks)
Crop and aquaculture losses need rapid assessment; compensation, crop-insurance payout and livelihood support must follow swiftly to prevent rural distress.
Infrastructure review: storm-drainage systems, coastal embankments, early-warning communications will likely come under scrutiny.
Long-term (years)
There is a need to strengthen “slow-moving storm” preparedness: systems designed for wind bursts must also account for extended rainfall and inland propagation.
Urban-coastal planning must integrate climate-resilient design: raised houses, better drainage, improved shelters.
Investment in nature-based buffers—mangroves, wetlands—could reduce storm-surge and coastal inundation impacts.
Governance coordination across states (Andhra, Odisha, Bengal, Tamil Nadu) will become increasingly important as storms traverse multiple jurisdictions.
Resilience, Response and Reflection
Cyclone Montha may no longer command headlines for its wind-ferocity—but its story is far from over. What began as a severe cyclonic storm has shifted into a protracted rainfall and flooding event whose echoes may reverberate in communities, crops, and infrastructure for weeks.
The preparedness shown—evacuations, school closures, relief camps—reflects an India better equipped than previous decades to face storms. Yet the speed of waterlogging, the extent of agricultural damage, and the sedimentation of losses in poorer rural households indicate that major vulnerabilities remain.
For millions in coastal and adjoining districts, the question now is: Will relief arrive before crisis deepens? Will the damp homes, blocked drainage and flood-affected fields be revived rather than being abandoned? And on a broader plane: Will India’s disaster-management ecosystem evolve to treat rainfall-driven risks with the same vigour it assigns to wind and surge?
What Montha has shown is this: The cyclone may weaken in category—but its impact can still roll on with relentless rain and flooding. For policymakers, meteorologists and citizens alike, the takeaway is clear: resilience is not only about withstanding the wind, but weathering the water.
