Is Cyclone Montha Making Landfall Today?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast.
- Chennai has been placed under an orange alert due to heavy rainfall.
- All schools in Chennai are closed for safety reasons.
- Residents are urged to stay indoors and avoid travel.
- Emergency control rooms are activated to manage the situation.
Chennai, Oct 28 (NationPress) The cyclonic storm Montha, which originated over the Bay of Bengal, is anticipated to hit the Andhra Pradesh coastline on Tuesday, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
While the full impact of the storm is not expected in Tamil Nadu, several districts, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu, are currently experiencing heavy rainfall. This has led to authorities issuing safety advisories and temporary school closures.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai noted that although the primary effects of Montha will be felt in coastal Andhra Pradesh, its outer bands have been causing steady rain in northern Tamil Nadu since Monday.
The IMD has placed Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Ranipet districts under an orange alert, cautioning residents about heavy to very heavy rain in isolated areas and thunderstorms, with wind gusts reaching up to 60 km/h.
As a safety measure, the Chennai District Collector has announced a one-day holiday for all government and private schools on Tuesday.
The Tiruvallur District Collector has also declared a similar holiday due to ongoing rainfall and waterlogging in low-lying regions. Areas such as Teynampet, Velachery, Anna Nagar, and Perungudi in Chennai have reported water accumulation after overnight rainfall.
To mitigate flooding, the Greater Chennai Corporation has mobilized additional pumps and staff to ensure proper drainage.
Fishermen are advised to refrain from going to sea due to hazardous conditions and strong coastal winds. Officials have recommended that residents in coastal and low-lying areas stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel.
“It is important for people to stay informed with official updates and to avoid proximity to beaches, riverbanks, or open drains during rain spells,” remarked an IMD official.
The RMC predicts that the rain intensity will gradually lessen by Wednesday as Montha advances inland after making landfall between Kakinada and Machilipatnam.
Emergency control rooms have been established in all coastal districts to monitor the situation and coordinate relief efforts as the cyclonic system nears the coast.