Cyclone Montha leaves 2 dead and around 50 000 ha (123 000 acres) of crops destroyed in Andhra Pradesh

Montha made landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam with maximum sustained winds of 90–100 km/h (56–62 mph) and gusts up to 110 km/h (68 mph), according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Chief Minister’s Office in Andhra Pradesh confirmed two deaths in the state due to the cyclone. Authorities evacuated tens of thousands of residents from low-lying coastal zones before landfall.

According to preliminary state assessments, around 38 000 ha (94 000 acres) of crops were destroyed and over 138 000 ha (341 300 acres) of horticultural crops were damaged. The affected crops include paddy, banana, maize, and coconut. Officials stated that detailed field verification and valuation are still underway.

Montha triggered heavy rainfall, leading to widespread flooding and landslides across multiple states, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana. Around 100 m (328 feet) of railway track between Borra and Similiguda, Andhra Pradesh, was washed away by a landslide on Wednesday, October 29.

Raiwada reservoir in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district reached 112.95 m (370.6 feet) on Wednesday morning, prompting authorities to open three spillway gates, releasing around 9 000 cusecs of water into the Sarada River.

Local police urged people downstream — including farmers, fishermen, and residents near the river — to remain cautious, keep children and livestock away, and avoid visiting the riverbanks. Severe waterlogging was reported across affected regions, including cities like Vijayawada.

Sea conditions along the Andhra coast remained very rough from October 28 into 29, with storm surge levels about 1 m (3.3 feet) above the astronomical tide.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) office in Bhubaneswar reported that 25 locations in Odisha recorded heavy rainfall, said IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty on Wednesday.

Gajapati district recorded the highest rainfall, measuring 150.5 mm (5.93 inches), with isolated heavy rain forecast for the next 24 hours. Thunderstorms, gusty winds, and lightning were forecast across the state through Wednesday.

“Isolated heavy rainfall warnings are in effect for districts including Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Ganjam, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak,” said Mohanty.

After crossing the coast, Montha weakened into a deep depression while moving northwest toward Telangana and Chhattisgarh, producing continued heavy rain in several districts. Disaster-response and district teams remain active to restore power, clear blocked roads, and assess infrastructure damage.

Meteorologists noted that Montha developed under typical post-monsoon Bay of Bengal conditions, relatively warm sea-surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear, favorable for tropical cyclone intensification. IMD is expected to release a detailed post-storm analysis in the coming days.

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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