Cyclone ‘Montha’ may strengthen; nine ports in TN and Puducherry on alert

By Admin

27 Oct, 2025

In a significant weather development, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Saturday that the well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression and is likely to develop into a cyclonic storm named Montha within the next 48 hours.

In view of the evolving situation, cyclone warning signal number one has been hoisted at nine major ports across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The authorities have ramped up preparedness to mitigate any potential impact as the system continues to intensify.

According to the IMD, the depression is currently located about 990 kilometres southeast of Chennai and is moving west-northwestward, expected to deepen into a deep depression by Sunday. The storm may further strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday, October 27, before heading towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. The weather agency predicts that Cyclone Montha could make landfall between Machilipatnam and Visakhapatnam early next week.

Adding to the concern, another depression has formed over the Arabian Sea, moving north-northwestwards at around seven kilometres per hour. IMD forecasts that this system may also intensify into a cyclonic storm by Sunday.

An orange alert has been issued for Tiruvallur, Chennai, and Ranipet districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday. The IMD further stated that light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning will continue across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal till October 28, as the northeast monsoon which set in on October 16 remains active.

Ports including Chennai, Ennore (Kamarajar), Kattupalli, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Puducherry, Karaikal, Thoothukudi (VOC Port), and Pamban have all hoisted the first-level cyclone warning signal. Port authorities confirmed that ship movements remain safe and normal but emphasized that continuous monitoring is underway.

Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea along the Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and central-west coasts until Monday, owing to rough and turbulent sea conditions.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Authority (TNDMA) has directed district administrations to stay vigilant, especially in coastal regions that experienced flooding and wind damage during last week’s monsoon rains. Emergency response teams and relief centres have been kept on standby as the system gathers strength over the Bay of Bengal.

With the Bay of Bengal witnessing heightened cyclonic activity this season, authorities and coastal residents remain on alert, hoping that preparedness and timely warnings will minimize damage and ensure safety as Cyclone Montha continues to evolve.