Context:
Cyclone Montha, a severe cyclonic storm, recently made landfall on the east coast of India, impacting the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The cyclone was named by Thailand, with "Montha" meaning "fragrant flower" in Thai.
Formation and Path:
Cyclone Montha originated from a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, which gradually intensified due to high sea surface temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions.
· It moved north-northwestward, strengthening into a Severe Cyclonic Storm before making landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, on October 28, 2025. IMD reported sustained wind speeds of 90–100 km/h, with gusts reaching 110 km/h.
Impact and Affected Regions:
The cyclone caused heavy to very heavy rainfall across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and parts of Tamil Nadu.
· Storm surges led to flooding in several coastal areas. Over 76,000 people were evacuated to temporary shelters, and the government activated disaster response teams equipped with drones, power saws, and relief materials.
· Montha highlights how climate change and rising ocean temperatures are contributing to the increased frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones along India’s eastern coast.
About cyclone:
A cyclone is a large-scale weather system characterised by swirling winds around a region of low atmospheric pressure.
Key Features & Formation:
Cyclones rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
They typically form over warm ocean waters, where heat and moisture from the sea surface help fuel them.
A classic structure of a strong tropical cyclone includes:
· The eye: a calm, low-pressure centre.
· The eyewall: surrounding the eye, with the strongest winds and heaviest rains.
· Spiral rainbands: outward-spiralling bands of thunderstorms.
They draw in moist air near the sea surface, which rises, condenses and releases energy — driving the storm.
Classification & Naming:
Cyclones come in different types depending on region and intensity: for example, in the Atlantic they are called hurricanes, in the western Pacific typhoons, in the Indian Ocean often simply cyclones.
In India (and neighbouring areas) there’s a classification system based on wind speeds.
For example:
· Cyclonic Storm (CS): 63–87 km/h
· Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS): 88–117 km/h
· Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS): 118-220 km/h
· Super Cyclonic Storm (SuCS): 222 km/h and above.
Conclusion:
Cyclone Montha underscores the urgent need for climate adaptation and disaster-resilient development in coastal India. While effective evacuation minimized casualties, the economic and ecological losses reaffirm the importance of integrating disaster preparedness, community awareness, and sustainable coastal management into national policy frameworks.
