Cyclone Montha made landfall in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday evening, unleashing destructive winds and heavy rainfall that have devastated agricultural sectors and caused fatalities. The storm’s impact has been far-reaching, destroying crops across vast swathes of land in Andhra Pradesh and causing significant disruption in 15 districts of Odisha.
The agricultural sector in Andhra Pradesh suffered immensely, with standing crops across 38,000 hectares and horticulture crops over 1.38 lakh hectares being completely destroyed. Tragically, a woman in the Konaseema district lost her life due to high winds that toppled a palmyra tree. Emergency response efforts are in full swing, with around 76,000 people relocated to relief camps. The state has also established 219 medical facilities and procured 865 tonnes of animal fodder.
Movement on key roads in the cyclone-affected districts of Krishna, Eluru, and Kakinada was halted overnight. The railway network faced severe disruption, with the Indian Railways cancelling and rerouting numerous passenger trains. The South Central Railway confirmed 120 cancellations. Air travel was also heavily impacted, with all flights from Visakhapatnam Airport cancelled and a significant number of flights grounded at Vijayawada Airport.
Odisha experienced severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall that triggered landslides in its southern and coastal regions. Preliminary reports indicate damage to homes and widespread uprooting of trees. Several villages in Gajapati district were cut off due to landslides blocking roads. Rayagada district also reported significant tree damage.
In response to the crisis, Odisha’s Chief Minister has overseen the preparation of over 2,000 cyclone shelters and deployed 153 specialized rescue teams. The state is committed to a ‘Zero Casualty’ approach, with rescue operations actively underway in the affected districts.