Cyclone warning: IMD issues red alert, Andhra Pradesh CM directs disaster preparedness

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday says the depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is moving westwards and is likely to intensify into a deep depression and further into a cyclonic storm.

The weather system is expected to strengthen into a deep depression by October 26 and a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 27, PTI reports.

"The depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal moved nearly westwards and lay centred at 11.30 am today over the same region… It is likely to move nearly west-northwestwards to intensify into a deep depression by the 26th and into a cyclonic storm by the 27th morning," the IMD says in a statement.

Cyclone likely to intensify further

The IMD adds that the system is likely to continue northwestwards, intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28. Moving north-northwestwards, it is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, during the evening and night of October 28 as a severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained winds of up to 110 kmph.

IMD issues red alert

The IMD has issued a red alert for Andhra Pradesh, warning of heavy rainfall and strong winds associated with the approaching Montha cyclone, PTI reports. The department notes that the cyclone’s influence could stretch from Srikakulam to Tirupati, with heavy rains of up to 100 mm and gales gusting up to 110 kmph.

Andhra Pradesh government directs preparations

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alerts all district collectors, superintendents of police, and other senior officials about the impending cyclone and holds a teleconference with them, PTI reports.

Naidu directs officials to begin preparations to avert loss of life and property, including alerting coastal residents to evacuate to safer locations and declaring holidays for educational institutions if necessary.

He instructs authorities to monitor water levels in all reservoirs, release water scientifically, and keep NDRF and SDRF teams on standby. The CM further tells the Roads and Buildings, Energy, Irrigation, Municipal, and Panchayat Raj Departments to remain prepared, ensuring continuous availability of water, power, mobile tower, and civil supply services.

(With inputs from PTI)