Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha is nearing the Andhra Pradesh coast, prompting the state government to enforce critical safety measures. A night curfew and a ban on all vehicle movement, barring emergency services, are now in place across seven coastal districts. The cyclone is expected to bring destructive winds up to 110 kmph and substantial rainfall to Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and northern Tamil Nadu.
The IMD has confirmed the start of the landfall process for Storm Montha, which is moving northwest at about 15 kmph. The cyclone’s center was reported about 50 km from Machilipatnam. To ensure public safety and prevent potential accidents, the Andhra Pradesh government has issued orders to halt all vehicular traffic, including on national highways, in Krishna, Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari, Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, and parts of Alluri Sitarama Raju. This traffic restriction is active from Tuesday evening until Wednesday morning.
The implementation of a night curfew further restricts movement in the cyclone-prone districts, with exceptions only for essential and medical services. Residents are strongly urged to stay indoors and monitor official advisories. Storm Montha is forecast to make landfall near Kakinada late Tuesday night. In preparation, the NDRF has deployed teams to various states, and transport services are severely affected, with numerous flights and trains canceled to avoid potential dangers associated with the storm’s arrival.