Cyclone Montha was a very intense cyclonic storm that developed at the end of October 2025 in the southeast of the Bay of Bengal. It struck off Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, causing heavy rainfall, strong winds (up to 110 km/h), and the sea was rough.

It primarily hit the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and some Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, leading to extensive rainfall, flooding, and minor part of damage to crops. That storm was formed of a low-pressure region which was enhanced by warm sea temperature and humid air, and was referred to as Montha by Thailand, which translates to fragrant flower. Law enforcement evacuated more than 50,000 individuals and brought out disaster response to reduce destruction and loss of lives.

The recent weather news in India has been dominated by Cyclone Montha, which is of particular concern to students in India who are preparing to take up competitive exams and who need regular information on the prevailing events in the context of natural calamities. 

Cyclone Montha Overview

Cyclone Montha was formed on the Bay of Bengal around October 24, 2025, in the form of a low-pressure region. It escalated to a deep depression and later turned into a serious cyclonic storm on October 28, 2025. The storm hit the Andhra Pradesh coast, between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada.

Cyclone Montha Status

Cyclone Montha has lost its strength and turned into a deep depression after landfall and is moving towards Northwest India path in the direction of Telangana and Chhattisgarh. The storm caused excessive rains and winds in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and even in Tamil Nadu. 

According to the authorities, there were at least two people who died, as well as flooding in the affected areas. The relief programs are in progress, and the governments of the states are working to wrap up the debris and reinstate the necessary services. 

Cyclone Montha News Updates

Recent news has brought to the fore proactive steps by the government in the state of Andhra Pradesh, such as the imposition of curfews in cyclone-affected regions at night and suspension of vehicular traffic movement to guarantee the safety of the people. Vulnerable district schools were closed when the cyclone was still going on.

 It was also reported that landslides and floods have disrupted normal life in various districts. Emergency facilities such as the National Disaster Response Force, Coast Guard, and state agencies were on high alert to help needy persons. 

Cyclone Montha Landfall Time

The landfall process of Cyclone Montha onset started at the end of the evening on October 28, 2025, and was lasting through hours. The storm made landfall at 7-11.30 pm at the coast of Andhra Pradesh at Kakinada. This time was vital in the disaster preparedness activities, and early warning was given to the citizens to reduce the number of casualties and losses. 

What Is a Cyclone

A cyclone is a mass of air on a large scale that is in the form of rotation around a low-pressure region. The warm, moist air that is at the ocean surface rises to the surface and forms low pressure, hence it is replaced by colder air. 

This movement of air spins as a result of cyclones due to the rotation of the Earth. These systems are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfalls, and storms, which usually result in floods, damage caused by wind, and coastal flooding. 

Types of Cyclone

The classification is significant in the sense that it allows one to know the type of storms that are likely to impact various regions. 

The major types of cyclones are:

• Tropical Cyclones: These are developed in the warm tropical seas where the wind speed is more than 119 km/h. Some examples are cyclones in the Indian Ocean, hurricanes in the Atlantic, and typhoons in the Pacific.
• Extratropical Cyclones: These are formed in the temperate areas where there is a combination of cold and warm air masses. These are normally related to weather fronts.
• Tornados: Smaller-scale cyclones, which have very high wind velocity, but low duration, and have a short spatial extent.

Difference Between A Cyclone And an Anticyclone

The primary distinction between a cyclone and an anticyclone is in the pressure systems and weather patterns produced: 

• Cyclone: This is a low-pressure system wherein air converges and rises at the core. Winds flow inward and rotate anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Cyclones produce cloudy skies, thunderstorms, rain, and high winds.
  Cyclones are usually smaller (diameter 200 km – 2,000 km), move faster, and exist for a shorter time than anticyclones. Cyclones often form in tropical and temperate regions close to oceanic waters.
• Anticyclone: This is a high-pressure system in which air descends and diverges outward from the core. Winds flow outward and rotate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, anticlockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Anticyclones are associated with calm, dry, and clear weather.
  They are larger (diameter 3,000 km – 8,000 km), slow-moving, and last longer than cyclones. Anticyclones typically form in subtropical, polar, and mid-latitude regions.

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Why Is There a Cyclone in the Bay of Bengal? 

The Bay of Bengal is susceptible to cyclones due to several reasons: warm sea surface temperatures (more than 28 °C), the presence of high moisture content, and good wind patterns. The combinations are common in the months between September and December, which are the months of the highest cyclone activity within the area.

The geography and climatic conditions of the Bay, such as the influx of the Pacific Ocean winds, identify the Bay as a tropical cyclone hot spot. 

Cyclone Naming System

At the request of the regional countries, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) gives names to cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea so that they can be easily identified and communicated. All member countries linearly present a list of names. Thailand proposed the name Montha, which translates to a fragrant flower or beautiful flower in Thai. 

This naming method eliminates the problem of confusion due to the occurrence of numerous cyclones at the same time and facilitates the efficient communication of the information to the people by the media and authorities. 

Cyclone Disaster Management in India

The disaster management system in India entails evacuation, early warning, relief, and rehabilitation. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is a significant organ when it comes to forecasting cyclones as well as giving alerts. The rescue operations are organized by other organizations such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Coast Guard, Army, and the state governments to offer shelters and provide relief materials.

It means that coastal communities are regularly trained on cyclone preparedness, and the infrastructure is reinforced against storms. 

What steps should people take during a cyclone warning

People should stay alert to official updates and take the following steps:-

• Keep an eye on official weather reports through the news or IMD bulletins.
• Take immediate action in the case of evacuation orders.
• Do not go outside when there are strong winds; tie up your house and outdoor furniture.
• Prepare enough resources such as drinking water, food, and drugs.
• Do not go to low-lying and coastal areas which are liable to flooding.
• Have emergency contacts, and make plans in case of a power outage.
• Keep children, the elderly, and special needs safe. 

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