Cyclone Montha, which formed over the Bay of Bengal, made landfall along the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on Tuesday evening, lashing the region for about three hours. Its impact was felt across eight districts of Odisha – Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur.

Light rain and strong winds had begun as early as October 27, intensifying by the next morning and peaking by evening with wind speeds reaching 90–100 kmph. Odisha reported no loss of life, though Andhra Pradesh confirmed two fatalities. Light showers continue across several districts, and the cyclone’s effects are expected to last until October 31.

The storm inevitably brings back memories of the catastrophic 1999 cyclone that claimed hundreds of lives. But it also highlights how far Odisha has come. No casualties have been reported this time, though landslides and uprooted trees were seen in several areas. Farmers report losses.

Ahead of the landfall, we travelled to Ganjam to document the state’s preparations and speak to locals and officials. 

Around 11,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas. But in Aryapalli, authorities faced challenges due to language barriers while relocating residents, prompting them to hold awareness rallies.

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