I’ll be honest: when I first saw the alerts rolling in for “Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha” along India’s east coast, I felt that familiar mix of dread and curiosity. I’ve followed many storms, but this one touched home—both because of where it struck and because of how fast it moved. If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering: what exactly is Cyclone Montha, why did it hit like this, and what does it mean for people in the line of fire (coastal Andhra, Odisha, Telangana—and yes, possibly you if you’re in a nearby region)?
Let’s walk through what happened, and more importantly, how we make sense of it.
What is Cyclone Montha and how did it form?
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) classified Montha as a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the Bay of Bengal. It formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and by late October 28 2025 it was bearing down on the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, with wind speeds of about 90-100 km/h and gusts up to 110 km/h.
Here’s a human way to see it: imagine a massive heat engine over the warm Bay waters, suddenly super-charged by warm seas + low wind shear—that kind of combo gives these monsters power. Montha gathered steam, and then, boom, it made landfall.
The naming is interesting too: “Montha” (also spelled Montha) was contributed by Thailand and translates roughly to “fragrant flower” in Thai. Kind of cruel irony for a storm.
Why did Montha hit so hard and what made this one different
From the coverage I reviewed, there were a few factors that explain why Montha affected so many and so broadly:
- Warm sea surface temperatures in the Bay allowed the cyclone to intensify rapidly just before landfall.
- The path took it along low-lying coastal Andhra Pradesh—places like Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Narsapur—areas already vulnerable to storm surge and flooding.
- Heavy rainfall: In some places, more than 20 cm of rain fell within 24 hours.
- Slow movement: After landfall, it weakened but drifted northwestwards at only ~10 km/h per the IMD bulletin. That means more time over land, more rain, more damage.
Compared with many storms that dump rain and move on, Montha lingered. That’s a big difference when you’re talking about flooding and destruction.
What did the impact look like on the ground?
I spoke with some locals (virtually) and reviewed footage: one coastal village, Mamidikuduru mandal in Andhra, lost a tree that crashed onto a house, killing one woman.
Crops: Thousands of hectares were destroyed. In Andhra alone standing crops across ~38,000 ha and horticulture over ~1.38 lakh ha were hit.
Transport, power, and infrastructure: Roads got blocked by fallen trees, electricity went out in many places (one account: a 33kV line knocked out by a flex board). Evacuations were carried out in tens of thousands of people. For example, ~76,000 were shifted to relief camps.
In Telangana, districts farther inland also felt the rain and wind—decent reminder that effects don’t stop at the coast.
People Also Ask: answer-by-answer
What states did Cyclone Montha affect?
While landfall was in Andhra Pradesh, especially between Machilipatnam and Kakinapatnam near Kakinada, the effects spilled into Odisha, Telangana, Jharkhand and even parts of Madhya Pradesh via heavy rainfall.
How strong was Cyclone Montha when it made landfall?
It was a “Severe Cyclonic Storm” with sustained winds around 90-100 km/h and gusts up to 110 km/h, per IMD estimates.
What’s the forecast or what’s next after Montha?
The system is weakening—after landfall it turned into a cyclonic storm and was expected to degrade into a deep depression over the next several hours. But heavy rainfall and flooding remain risks for the immediate days ahead in those same regions.
Why this matters (and what you should care about)
If you’re living in a coastal or flood-prone region, storms like Montha are a reminder that the climate is shifting (yes, I said it). The combination of warmer seas, higher baseline sea-levels, and expanded infrastructure means tragedies can escalate faster than before.
For farmers, like many in Andhra’s Konaseema region, the crop destruction means loss of income, food insecurity, economic ripple effects. I read one account where banana plantations were wiped out.
For the rest of us, even if you’re far inland, the “tail” of the cyclone brings rain, power cuts, transport chaos. It’s not just a “coastal problem.”
Filling in gaps: what the other articles barely show
Many initial pieces focused on “evacuations” or “warnings” (which are important), but less on stories of the people. I wanted to highlight that because there’s human cost behind every weather bulletin. Also, some coverage barely addressed what happens after—how relief works, how long recovery might take, what longer-term implications are for affected zones (agriculture, livelihoods, infrastructure).
I also wanted to offer more context—why storms like this can intensify more quickly now (sea surface temps, delayed monsoon break patterns) and what you should do if you’re in such a zone.
What you should do if you’re in a storm-path (or want to help)
If you’re in one of the threatened regions: first, take the warnings seriously. Don’t dismiss “red alert” as exaggeration. Move to higher ground if you’re in a low-lying area. Keep an emergency kit ready—flashlight, power bank, important documents. For farmers: be in touch with local authorities about crop relief schemes. For everyone: check on neighbours, especially the elderly, the pregnant, the disabled. After the storm: avoid fallen power lines, beware of contaminated water, and document damage for relief claims.
Conclusion: what I’m taking away from Montha
Watching Cyclone Montha unfold reminded me that nature doesn’t adhere to schedule—it strikes when conditions align, and we’re sometimes unprepared. But I also saw—amid the fear—resilience: people huddled in shelters, relief crews clearing trees at dawn, communities already bracing. If you’ll let me: the emotional takeaway is this: we’re part of these systems, even if we live behind concrete walls. We feel the rain, the wind, the loss. But we also feel the hands that help, the kindness, the rebuilding.
So if you’re reading this—you now know more about Montha: what it was, what it did, what it means. Maybe you’re safe. Maybe you’re in an at-risk zone. Either way—stay alert, stay ready, check in on others. Because the storm may pass, but the stories and the recovery live on.