The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday confirmed that Cyclone Montha, which had earlier intensified into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the Bay of Bengal, has now weakened in strength. The system, once packing winds of over 100 km/h, is gradually losing its force as it moves inland.
According to IMD’s latest bulletin, the cyclone weakened into a Cyclonic Storm during the early hours of Wednesday. The storm’s wind speed reduced considerably, now ranging between 65 to 85 km/h. The weakening was attributed to the cyclone’s interaction with land, which caused a drop in energy and moisture — two key factors that sustain such systems.
Rainfall and Warnings Continue
Despite the weakening, the IMD has cautioned that the remnants of Montha will continue to bring moderate to heavy rainfall across parts of Odisha, West Bengal, and north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Some districts may experience very heavy rainfall, especially in low-lying and coastal regions.
In Odisha, districts like Ganjam, Puri, and Khordha have reported continuous rain since Tuesday evening. Strong winds uprooted trees and disrupted electricity supply in several areas. The state government has deployed disaster management teams and local administration units to monitor the situation closely.
Fishermen and Coastal Residents Advised to Stay Alert
IMD has reiterated its advisory for fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea until further notice. Sea conditions remain rough, and high tidal waves are expected in some coastal pockets. The cyclone’s outer bands are still active, capable of producing sudden gusts and heavy downpours.
Relief and Rescue on Standby
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been kept on high alert. Shelters have been arranged in vulnerable areas, while power and communication departments are working to restore services disrupted by strong winds.
An IMD official stated, “Cyclone Montha is weakening steadily and is likely to turn into a deep depression within the next 12 to 24 hours. However, people are advised to remain cautious as residual rain and winds could still cause local disruptions.”
Transportation Impact and Next Update
Several trains and flights along the east coast have faced delays or cancellations due to bad weather. The IMD will issue another update later in the day as the system continues to weaken further while moving northwestward.
Cyclone Montha’s weakening comes as a relief to millions living along India’s eastern coastline, though the weather department continues to stress vigilance until the system completely dissipates.
