Odisha deploys disaster response forces to tackle Cyclone Montha

The Odisha government on Monday (October 27, 2025) deployed disaster response forces and shut down schools in eight districts that are likely to be impacted by Cyclone Montha.

The cyclonic storm is likely to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of Tuesday (October 28). Continuing to move further north-northwestwards, it is very likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during evening as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph, said India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its bulletin.

“We have deployed 24 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and five units of National Disaster Response Force mostly in southern Odisha districts. As southern Odisha districts are likely to receive heavy rain under the atmospheric system, we have remained alert,” said Suresh Pujari, State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister.

Stating that the government was keeping a close watch on the cyclone and its resulting impacts on Odisha districts, Mr. Pujari said “all district administrations have been asked to ensure zero casualty in the natural disaster”.

Special Relief Commissioner D.K. Singh said 35,000 people, including 2,700 pregnant women, were targeted to be shifted to safer places in view of turbulent weather. Apart from 24 disaster response forces, close to 100 fire service units have been deployed in the State too.

Meanwhile, schools and anganwadi centres have been shut down for two days — October 28 and 29 — keeping the potential heavy rain in mind.

As a precautionary measure, East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced the cancellation, diversion, and short termination of several coaching trains operating in the Waltair region and connected routes. As many as 32 trains have been cancelled.