Cyclone ‘Montha’ makes landfall near Narsapur; heavy rains lash Andhra parts
Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) said the cyclone crossed the coast between 11.30 p.m. and 12.30 a.m
By - Sri Lakshmi Muttevi
Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) said the cyclone crossed the coast between 11.30 p.m. and 12.30 a.m
Amaravati: Cyclone ‘Montha’ made landfall near Narsapur, triggering heavy rains and winds in different areas.
Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) said the cyclone crossed the coast between 11.30 p.m. and 12.30 a.m. The rear sector of the cyclone entered the land early Wednesday morning.
The Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha over coastal Andhra Pradesh moved northwestwards, weakened into a Cyclonic Storm and lay centered about 20 km west-northwest of Narsapur (Andhra Pradesh), 50 km northeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 90 km west-southwest of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 230 km southwest of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 470 km southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha).
It is likely to move northwestwards across coastal Andhra Pradesh and maintain its intensity of a cyclonic storm during the next 6 hours, and weaken further into a deep depression during the subsequent 6 hours.
The system is currently being monitored continuously by Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam in addition to coastal observatories, automatic weather stations (AWSs), ships & buoys, and satellites.
Major mishap averted as boats drift away from Penna Bridge :
A major accident was narrowly avoided at the Penna Bridge in Sangam, Nellore district. Three boats used for sand transportation from the Penna River were anchored near the bridge as a precautionary measure against the ongoing storm. However, due to the surge in floodwaters, the ropes securing the boats snapped, causing them to drift away before eventually coming to rest safely along the riverbanks.
Officials heaved a sigh of relief as the boats did not collide with the bridge gates, which could have resulted in a serious accident.
Meanwhile, floodwaters from the Tellapadu Vagu have inundated roads in parts of Nellore district, disrupting vehicular movement between AS Peta and Atmakur. The Pappaleru Vagu is also flowing at high speed in the Bogolu mandal. To ensure public safety, Bitragunta SI has installed barricades on both sides of the affected areas.
KK lime damaged :
The Kothavalasa–Kirandul single railway line suffered severe damage following the heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Montha. The railway track between Araku Tunnel No. 32, Chimidipally, and Borra Caves was completely washed out, with large amounts of mud and rocks accumulating along the line. Railway staff made efforts to clear the debris and prevent waterlogging on the track.
Rainfall Warning:
On October 29, Scattered Heavy to very Heavy with Extremely Heavy rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over Srikakulam, Parvathipuram, Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Yanam, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore, and Tirupati districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.
On October 30, Heavy to very Heavy rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places over Srikakulam, Parvathipuram, Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli, Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, and Nandyal districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.
Heavy rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places over Kakinada, Yanam, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Prakasam, YSR Kadapa, Kurnool, and Anantapur districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema.
Warning for fishermen:
Gale wind speed reaching 75-85 gusting to 95 kmph is prevailing along & off Andhra Pradesh & Yanam (of Puducherry) coasts and likely to decrease, becoming squally winds speed reaching 55-65kmph gusting to 75kmph by forenoon of October 29 along and off North Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts. The winds would be squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting 60 kmph by 29th October evening and decrease gradually thereafter.
Port warnings :
Great Danger Signal Number – 10 (GDS- X) Kept Hoisted at Kakinada port.
Great Danger Signal Number – 9 (GDS-IX) Kept Hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kalingapatnam, and Bheemunipatnam ports.
Great Danger Signal Number – 8 (GDS- VIII) Kept hoisted at Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam, Krishnapatnam, and Vadarevu ports.
