Cyclone Montha Weakens Post-Landfall; Crops Damaged

The severe cyclonic storm Montha has lost much of its fury, weakening into a cyclonic storm after making landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a continued decrease in intensity, with the system expected to become a deep depression within the next six hours. The cyclone’s landfall occurred between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, south of Kakinada. While the immediate threat has lessened, the storm’s passage caused significant agricultural damage, with approximately 38,000 hectares of standing crops and extensive horticulture crops impacted in Andhra Pradesh. Power supply disruptions and uprooted trees were also reported. Odisha experienced heavy downpours, triggering landslides and damaging homes in multiple southern districts.