Cyclone “Montha” formed over the southeastern Bay of Bengal

The India Meteorological Department has said that the depression over the southeastern Bay of Bengal has moved westward and is likely to intensify into a deep depression and then into a cyclonic storm “Montha” by October 27.

• The India Meteorological Department said on October 25, 2025, that the depression over the southeastern Bay of Bengal has moved westward and is likely to intensify into a deep depression and then into a cyclonic storm “Montha.”
• Cyclone Montha, which is likely to turn into a cyclonic storm by October 27, is expected to reach the Andhra Pradesh coast on the evening or night of October 28 with winds blowing at a speed of 90–100 km per hour.
• As the cyclone approaches, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heavy rainfall warnings for states such as Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry over the next few days.

Naming of Cyclone Montha

• The name “Montha” was given by Thailand. In Thai, the word “Montha” means “beautiful flower,” reflecting the regional naming convention in which each member country of the World Meteorological Organization’s panel suggests names for cyclones.
• Earlier, last month, Cyclone Shakti formed in the Arabian Sea. Sri Lanka gave the name “Shakti” to that cyclone.

States affected by the cyclone

• According to IMD’s post, Andhra Pradesh has been placed on red alert for October 27, 28, and 29; Odisha for October 28 and 29; and Telangana and Chhattisgarh for October 28 only. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has been placed on orange alert for October 27 and 28.
• Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall near Kakinada on the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam on Tuesday evening or night, with strong winds ranging from 90–100 km/h to 110 km/h.
• All NDRF and SDRF teams have been kept on standby, and additional teams are ready for deployment in severe conditions. IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry (Yanam), and Odisha from October 26–29.
• The weather system is located about 610 km west of Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), 790 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 850 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 840 km southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), and 950 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha).
• Emphasis was laid on the need for coordination among village, mandal, district, and state-level officials regarding measures to be taken in view of the cyclone warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for more than 12 districts of Andhra Pradesh.