IMD Forecasts High Waves Along Andhra Coast as Cyclone Montha Approaches on October 28

The IMD warns of high sea waves between 2 and 4.7 metres along the Andhra Pradesh coast as Cyclone Montha intensifies. The storm is expected to peak on October 28.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the Meteorological Department have issued a warning for high sea waves along the Andhra Pradesh coast. These waves, ranging from 2 to 4.7 metres, are expected from Nellore to Srikakulam as Cyclone Montha intensifies into a cyclonic storm on October 28.

According to a joint bulletin from both agencies, these high waves are anticipated for six hours, between 5:30 pm and 11:30 pm on October 27. "High waves in the range of two to 4.7 metres are forecast during 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm of October 27 off the coast of Andhra Pradesh from Nellore to Srikakulam," the bulletin stated.

Forecasted Path and Impact

At 5:30 pm, Cyclone Montha was positioned over the west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal. It was moving northwest at a speed of 15 km per hour over the past six hours. The cyclone was located approximately 450 km south-southeast of Kakinada, 420 km east of Chennai, 500 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, and 670 km south-southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha.

The system is predicted to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning, according to a press release from the Meteorological Department. "Continuing to move further north-northwestwards, it is very likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the evening and night of October 28 as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph and gusting up to 110 kmph," it added.

Expected Rainfall and Storm Surge

A storm surge about one metre above astronomical tide is expected to inundate low-lying areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam around the time of landfall. INCOIS and the Meteorological Department have also predicted light to moderate rainfall in most cyclone-affected areas of Andhra Pradesh. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in some places, with extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm at isolated locations between October 27 and 29.

As Cyclone Montha approaches, residents in affected areas are advised to stay alert and follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. The situation is being closely monitored by both INCOIS and the Meteorological Department to provide timely updates.

With inputs from PTI