Cyclone Montha, which made landfall on the coast of Andhra Pradesh late Tuesday night, has now weakened into a cyclonic storm, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said early Wednesday. The storm brought with it heavy rain, powerful winds, and widespread damage, leaving behind uprooted trees, damaged houses, and flooded streets in several coastal districts.
According to the IMD, the severe cyclonic storm crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, to the south of Kakinada, shortly after midnight. Following landfall, the storm began to lose strength as it moved inland. In its 2:30 a.m. bulletin, the IMD said, “The Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha over coastal Andhra Pradesh moved northwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph and weakened into a Cyclonic Storm.”
Officials confirmed that the cyclone was centered about 20 km west-northwest of Narsapur, 50 km northeast of Machilipatnam, and 90 km west-southwest of Kakinada. The storm’s movement and intensity were being closely monitored through Doppler weather radars at Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam. 
Even as Cyclone Montha weakened, heavy rain and gusty winds continued to lash West Godavari, Krishna, and East Godavari districts. Several areas witnessed severe waterlogging, and power supply was disrupted in many parts. Reports from local authorities indicated that one woman lost her life in Makanagudem village of Konaseema district after a tree, uprooted by strong winds, fell on her.
Power lines were snapped, roads were blocked, and communication services were affected in low-lying areas. Officials have issued flood warnings in several regions, urging residents to remain cautious as rivers and drains continue to swell due to incessant rainfall.
In Machilipatnam, strong winds blew away tin roofs and uprooted trees near the beach road. The power supply was disrupted in several areas after a palm tree fell on electric lines, though efforts were underway to restore connections.
Cyclone Montha’s arrival also disrupted air and train services across Andhra Pradesh. At Visakhapatnam Airport, 32 flights were cancelled, while 16 flights at Vijayawada and four at Tirupati were grounded due to safety concerns.
The South Central Railway cancelled 120 trains on Monday and Tuesday as a precautionary measure. Some train routes were diverted or short-terminated in the Waltair region and other affected zones.
Officials from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) confirmed that 45 teams had been deployed across coastal Andhra Pradesh to carry out rescue and relief operations. Teams were clearing debris, restoring roads, and assisting in evacuating stranded residents from flood-hit areas.
