NEW DELHI – Cyclone Montha began losing steam on Wednesday after unleashing severe weather conditions along India’s eastern coast. Teams are now working tirelessly to restore electricity and clear debris in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh and its neighbor, Odisha.
Late Tuesday night, the cyclone made its presence felt near Andhra Pradesh’s port city of Kakinada, striking with winds reaching 100 kph (62 mph). The storm uprooted trees, damaged roads, and inundated low-lying areas before it gradually weakened as it advanced inland.
The Indian Meteorological Department reported that the storm is expected to continue moving northwest, affecting coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Telangana state as it downgrades to a depression. By Wednesday morning, wind speeds had decreased to 83 kph (52 mph).
Named Montha after a fragrant flower by Thailand, the cyclone also triggered a storm surge that reached heights of up to 10 feet (3 meters) in Kakinada and surrounding regions.
While authorities in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have not confirmed any fatalities, reports in local media suggest that a woman lost her life when a tree fell on her house.
Weather forecasts predict moderate to heavy rain in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh states through Thursday.
Tens of thousands of people in low-lying areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha had evacuated to relief camps before the storm hit.
India’s disaster management agencies have improved preparedness for tropical cyclones in recent years with effective evacuation plans and early warning systems.
India’s eastern coasts have long been prone to cyclones, but the number of intense storms is increasing along the country’s coast. India’s deadliest cyclone season in recent years was in 2023, killing 523 people and causing an estimated $2.5 billion in damage.
Climate scientists say severe storms are becoming more frequent in South Asia. Global warming driven by planet-heating gases has caused them to become more extreme and unpredictable.
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