Cyclone Montha Diminishes After Lashing India’s Eastern Coast with Intense Rain and Wind

NEW DELHI – Cyclone Montha began to lose its intensity on Wednesday after unleashing heavy rains and strong winds along India’s eastern coastline. Relief teams are now working swiftly to restore electricity and clear debris in southern Andhra Pradesh and neighboring Odisha state.

The cyclone struck land late Tuesday night near the port city of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, bringing with it maximum sustained winds of 100 kph (62 mph). The storm uprooted trees, damaged roads, and inundated low-lying areas before starting to weaken as it pushed inland.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the cyclone is projected to move northwest across coastal Andhra Pradesh and into southern Telangana state, transforming into a depression. By early Wednesday morning, wind speeds had decreased to 83 kph (52 mph).

Named after a fragrant flower by Thailand, Montha triggered a storm surge up to 10 feet (3 meters) high in Kakinada and nearby regions.

Officials in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have not yet confirmed any fatalities linked to the cyclone, although local reports indicate that a woman died when a tree fell on her house.

Moderate to heavy rains were forecast in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and Chhattisgarh states until 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.