Season’s first cyclonic storm forms over Bay of Bengal, likely to hit A.P. coast on October 28

The depression hovering over the Bay of Bengal is expected to gradually gain strength as a cyclonic storm likely to be named Cyclone Montha by Monday (October 27, 2025). It is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast around Kakinada by Tuesday night, with maximum wind speeds of 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph, according to the India Meteorological Department.

The weather system will begin to cause intense rainfall over north Tamil Nadu from Sunday. The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai has issued an orange alert indicating heavy to very heavy rainfall for three districts — Chennai, Ranipet and Tiruvallur — on Monday, as the season’s first cyclonic storm intensifies and moves closer to the Tamil Nadu coast.

Red alerts

The weather system will also trigger intense downpours in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Kerala, and Puducherry, apart from T.N., on Sunday. Some parts of coastal Karnataka may also experience heavy rainfall early next week. Rainfall intensity will gradually increase from Monday. Red alerts have been issued to coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, indicating the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places for three days from Monday.

The RMC has warned that squally winds with speeds reaching 50-60 kmph may prevail at isolated places over coastal A.P. and Rayalaseema between Monday and Wednesday. Fishermen have also been advised to return to the coast immediately as squally weather with wind speeds gusting to 55 kmph is likely to prevail along and off the Tamil Nadu coast, over the Gulf of Mannar and the Comorin area.

Disaster response preparations

Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee to review preparedness for the impending cyclone. The Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry, and the Additional Chief Secretary of Odisha apprised the Committee of the measures taken to protect residents in the expected path of the cyclonic storm. National Disaster Response Force teams will be mobilised by Sunday and relief teams of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard are on alert

Mr.Somanathan stressed that the primary goal is to ensure zero loss of lives and to minimise damage to property and infrastructure. Essential services must be restored in a short duration, he said, according to a statement.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with District Collectors, Superintendents of Police, and other senior officials on cyclone preparedness on Saturday, directing them to be proactive in mitigating the impact of the cyclone.

Mr. Naidu said the cyclone might affect the entire coast from Srikakulam to Tirupati, and heavy rainfall ranging from 80 to 100 mm was anticipated. He directed the officials to be alert to the likelihood of floods due to heavy spells of rain, to prepare a special action plan for cyclone relief, and to stay fully equipped with necessary resources.