Cyclone Montha Weakens, IMD Red Alert for Telangana: India Braces for Intense Rainfall.
IMD Warnings: A Breakdown by Region
Telangana
Red alert for extreme rainfall: Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanumakonda, Jangaon, Siddipet, and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri.
Orange alert for heavy rain: Komuram Bheem Asifabad, Adilabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Jagtial, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Suryapet.
Yellow alert for light to moderate rain: Nizamabad, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Rangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy.
Andhra Pradesh
Orange alert issued with warnings for Prakasam, SPSR Nellore, Guntur, Palnadu, NTR, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Eluru, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam.
West Bengal
South Bengal (Oct 29): South/North 24 Parganas, Purba/Paschim Medinipur – light/moderate rain, isolated heavy showers, gusty winds to 55 kmph.
Central Bengal (Oct 30): Purulia, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Paschim Bardhaman – rain zone moves inland.
North Bengal (Oct 31): Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Alipurduar – heavy/very heavy rain (yellow/orange alerts).
Other States
Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh: Showers on Oct 29, 30.
Gujarat: Light/moderate rain till Nov 1, isolated heavy rainfall in Marathwada, Saurashtra, Kutch till Oct 31.
Meteorological Position and Forecast
As of late October 29, the IMD reported the cyclone’s center at 19.6°N, 80.7°E, positioned 110 km from Kanker, 150 km from Jagdalpur, 150 km from Chandrapur, 160 km from Ramagundam, and 240 km from Nagpur. Moving north-northwest, Montha is predicted to weaken further, becoming a well-marked low-pressure area in the next few hours as it enters Chhattisgarh and adjacent Vidarbha.
Consequences and Impacts
Flooding & Urban Disruptions
Urban flooding risks: Districts under red and orange alerts may face inundation, affecting public transport, roads, and property.
Power cuts and infrastructure damage: Lightning and gusty winds could trigger outages and damage electrical and communications infrastructure.
School and office closures: Preemptive/mandatory closures are likely in the worst-hit districts, disrupting education and office work.
Agricultural Impact
Crop losses: Heavy downpours and flooding threaten paddy, cotton, and other seasonal crops in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Bengal.
Livestock and rural vulnerability: Villages in low-lying and riverine areas risk loss of livestock and essential supplies due to inundation.
Travel and Health Concerns
Disrupted travel: Inter-district movement may be restricted due to waterlogged roads, landslides, and blocked highways.
Waterborne diseases: Stagnant water increases cases of vector-borne and waterborne illnesses such as dengue and cholera.
Economic Consequences
Agriculture and trade slowdown: Prolonged rains can delay harvests and impact supply chains for agricultural commodities, especially rice and pulses.
Insurance claims surge: Damage to homes, vehicles, and agriculture will boost demand for insurance payouts and relief funds.
Relief Measures and Next Steps
The IMD advises residents and local administrations to remain highly vigilant, especially in red and orange alert districts. Disaster response teams are being deployed, and contingency plans are being activated to deal with flash floods, rescue operations, and public health emergencies. Conditions are expected to begin improving after November 1, with dry and partly cloudy weather likely from November 3.
Conclusion
As Cyclone Montha weakens, eastern and southern India must prepare for days of intense rainfall, flooding, and disruption. Early warnings and district-wise alerts from the IMD can help minimize damage, but the cumulative effects on agriculture, infrastructure, and daily life will need sustained recovery efforts as the system dissipates.