Cyclone Montha makes landfall; heavy rainfall batters coastal India

Cyclone Montha, a severe cyclonic storm originating in the Bay of Bengal, made landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, on 28 October 2025, bringing torrential rain and gusty winds across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued red alerts for coastal districts, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed over 50 rescue teams across vulnerable regions.

This event once again highlights India’s growing vulnerability to tropical cyclones, particularly on the eastern coast.

Scientific Background

• Formation: Cyclone Montha formed due to a low-pressure area over the central Bay of Bengal, which intensified under warm sea surface temperatures (above 28°C) and favorable wind shear conditions.
• Track: It moved northwestward before striking Andhra Pradesh, weakening into a depression as it moved inland.
• Seasonality: The October–November period is traditionally active for cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, due to post-monsoon retreat and conducive oceanic conditions.

As per IMD data, about 80% of India’s cyclones form in the Bay of Bengal, and the east coast faces three times more cyclonic events than the west coast.

Impact Assessment

1. Humanitarian Loss: Over 1.2 lakh people were evacuated to cyclone shelters; damage to homes, power lines, and roads reported in coastal Andhra and Odisha.
2. Agriculture: Paddy, coconut, and aquaculture farms sustained heavy losses. Saltwater intrusion and flooding may affect soil fertility.
3. Infrastructure: Port operations in Visakhapatnam and Paradip were temporarily suspended; rail and air connectivity disrupted.
4. Environmental Damage: Coastal erosion, uprooting of mangroves, and flooding of wetlands in deltaic regions.

Broader Concerns

1. Climate Change Link:
   • IPCC reports indicate an increase in frequency of high-intensity cyclones in the North Indian Ocean due to rising sea surface temperatures.
   • Shifting cyclone tracks now threaten newer areas like north Andhra and southern Odisha.
2. Urban Exposure: Coastal cities like Chennai and Visakhapatnam face compounded risks due to poor drainage, unregulated construction, and loss of natural buffers.
3. Economic Cost: Recurrent cyclones disrupt livelihoods and impose fiscal stress through repeated reconstruction efforts.

Government Response

• IMD’s Early Warning Systems: The Dynamic Cyclone Warning System enabled advance evacuation and coordination.
• NDRF & SDRF: Rapid deployment minimized casualties; coordination with Indian Navy and Coast Guard ensured marine safety.
• NDMA Guidelines: Frameworks for cyclone shelters, resilient housing, and coastal zone management are in place but unevenly implemented.
• State Initiatives: Odisha’s “Zero Casualty” model remains a benchmark in preparedness and community-based resilience.

Policy Gaps & Challenges

• Fragmented institutional coordination between IMD, NDMA, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs).
• Inadequate investment in resilient coastal infrastructure and mangrove restoration.
• Lack of post-disaster livelihood rehabilitation, especially for small-scale fishermen and informal workers.
• Poor enforcement of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms leading to high exposure.

Way Forward

1. Ecosystem-Based Resilience: Protect mangroves, wetlands, and dunes as natural storm barriers.
2. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Adopt resilient building codes, cyclone-proof housing, and underground power systems.
3. Decentralised Early Warning: Use mobile-based and community radio systems for last-mile communication.
4. Insurance & Risk Transfer Mechanisms: Promote crop and property insurance in coastal areas.
5. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM): Link coastal planning with urban development and livelihood diversification.
6. Capacity Building: Local governments and Panchayats must be trained for evacuation logistics and post-cyclone relief.