Cyclone Montha was a severe cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal during October 2025. It crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapur, south of Kakinada, around midnight on 28–29 October. For civil services preparation, this event connects tropical cyclone formation with a practical problem: a storm can weaken in wind intensity while continuing to produce dangerous rainfall inland.
What happened during Cyclone Montha?
IMD’s 29 October 2025 report placed the coastal crossing between 11:30 pm on 28 October and 12:30 am on 29 October. By 8:30 am, the system had weakened into a deep depression over coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Telangana. The same bulletin recorded 25 cm of rainfall at Ongole during the preceding 24 hours and continued to warn of extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Telangana.
Distinguish these observations from an earlier track forecast. A forecast identifies the most likely future position using available information; the post-event account reconstructs what occurred. Preparing an answer from an old warning alone can therefore misstate the landfall location or treat predicted impacts as confirmed losses.
Why tropical cyclones develop over warm seas
A tropical cyclone is an organised low-pressure system with rotating winds and deep convection. Warm seawater supplies moisture and energy. As moist air rises and condenses, latent heat helps sustain convection. Favourable conditions also include sufficient rotation away from the equator, moist air and limited vertical wind shear. Warm water alone does not guarantee cyclone formation.
In the northern hemisphere, winds circulate anticlockwise around the low-pressure centre. Strong vertical wind shear can separate the upper and lower portions of a developing system. Once a cyclone moves inland, its access to ocean heat and moisture decreases and surface friction increases; however, its moist circulation can still support heavy rain.
Three hazards require different responses
| Hazard | What it means for an exposed settlement | Planning priority |
|---|---|---|
| Strong winds | Roofs, trees and electricity infrastructure can fail | Safe buildings, secure equipment and emergency power |
| Heavy rainfall | Runoff can exceed drainage and river capacity, including inland | Catchment monitoring, accessible shelters and safe road closures |
| Storm surge | Storm-driven seawater can inundate low coastal land | Coastal inundation maps and evacuation before routes become unsafe |
A wind category is therefore insufficient for estimating total disaster risk. The location of homes, quality of construction, drainage, evacuation access and time of exposure influence consequences. A district outside the strongest-wind corridor may still face serious flooding.
Understanding IMD’s four warning stages
- Pre-cyclone watch: issued 72 hours in advance, giving early information on a developing disturbance and the coastal belt at risk.
- Cyclone alert: at least 48 hours before expected adverse coastal weather, with information on movement, intensity and affected areas.
- Cyclone warning: at least 24 hours before adverse coastal weather, including the forecast landfall and associated hazards.
- Post-landfall outlook: issued at least 12 hours before expected landfall to describe subsequent inland movement and adverse weather.
The last stage’s name can cause confusion: the outlook is issued before landfall. These stages describe the warning sequence; administrators must also read the actual district-level forecast, impact assessment and updates.
Turning a warning into protection
For a coastal district, issuing a message is only the first step. Officials need an identified receiving person in each settlement, transport arrangements for residents who cannot travel independently, and a shelter with drinking water, sanitation, lighting and space for essential belongings. Fishing communities need messages early enough to return safely.
A useful preparedness exercise follows the whole route from a vulnerable household to a functioning shelter. If the access road floods first, a shelter’s capacity on paper provides little protection. Health facilities similarly need backup electricity, medicine supplies and arrangements for transferring patients before communications fail.
After landfall, restoration should proceed alongside rainfall monitoring. Damaged power lines, unsafe bridges and contaminated water can prolong disruption. Agricultural assessment should distinguish crop damage, livestock losses, damaged irrigation and the cost of restarting production. Each requires a different form of assistance.
For a mains answer, assess warning lead time, last-mile communication, evacuation completion and continuity of essential services. Counting rescue teams alone does not establish preparedness. The related note on urban flooding and drainage explains why rainfall can become a disaster even away from the coast.
Questions for revision
1. Where did Cyclone Montha cross the coast?
IMD’s post-landfall account places the crossing close to Narsapur, south of Kakinada, around midnight on 28–29 October 2025.
2. Does weakening into a depression end the danger?
No. Reduced wind intensity does not establish that rainfall, river flooding or unsafe local conditions have ended. Decisions should follow current official warnings for the affected area.
