Officials in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts are making extensive preparations to minimize potential damage from Cyclone Montha, which is anticipated to make landfall near the Kakinada coast on the night of October 28, 2025.
Learning from the devastating experiences of past cyclones like Hud-Hud and Titli, authorities are leaving nothing to chance. Srikakulam, with its long 185-km coastline stretching from Pydibhimavaram to Ichachapuram, is particularly vulnerable, often sustaining significant damage even when cyclones hit distant areas like Kakinada and Visakhapatnam.
To ensure a coordinated response, a specialized control room (08942-240557) has been established at the Srikakulam Collector’s office. This center will closely monitor high-risk areas including Palasa, Sompeta, Santabommali, Kotabommali, and the Uddanam region, which is renowned for its cashew and coconut cultivation. Srikakulam’s in-charge Collector, Farman Ahmed Khan, held a teleconference with key officials, emphasizing the need for seamless coordination during the crisis.
Mr. Khan issued a strict advisory to fishermen, urging them to stay off the sea for the upcoming week due to the anticipated rough conditions caused by the cyclone.
Additionally, irrigation officials have been instructed to vigilantly monitor water levels and inflows into significant rivers such as Vamsadhara and Nagavali, as post-cyclone flooding poses a substantial threat. Directives were also given for the swift evacuation of residents from low-lying areas to designated safe shelters.
In Vizianagaram, Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy convened a similar meeting, focusing on proactive measures to mitigate cyclone-related damage. Officials in Bhogapuram and Pusapatirega mandals, where over 50 villages are situated precariously close to the coast, were specifically advised to remain on high alert. Agriculture department personnel were tasked with informing farmers about necessary precautions to safeguard their standing crops.