Odisha goes on Red Alert as Cyclone Montha is nearing: Predictable heavy rain in 8 districts.

Odisha is preparing to face the effects of the Cyclone Montha that will cause heavy to very heavy rains in several of its southern and interior districts. The cyclonic storm is approaching the coast and the state government has raised a red alert in 8 districts. The names of districts are Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal.

Schools Evacuation in Progress, Closed.

Schools and anganwadi centres in the affected districts will not  open till October 30 because of the severe weather alert. The Odisha state has started massive evacuation in low lies and land slide prone regions. More than 200 expectant women have already transferred to neighboring hospitals as a precaution measure.

The Revenue and Disaster Management Minister of Odisha Suresh Pujari affirmed that preparations are almost over. He mentioned that boats and rescue equipment have deployed through 128 teams. As NDRF, ODRAF, and Fire Services to respond to emergency cases.

Path of Cyclone Montha and Forecasted Landfall.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that the Cyclone Montha will hit the coast between machine and Kalingapatnam close to Kakinada on the 28th of October. The storm which is 18 kmph located 520km south of Chennai, 570km south of Kakinada and 600km south of Visakhapatnam.

Montha has also moved close to the coastline with Andhra Pradesh. State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) issuing a red and orange alert to 23 out of the 26 districts in Andhra Pradesh.

Discharge of Dam and Rainfall.

As the IMD predicts heavy rainfall, the Odisha government has begun to release the water of big dams. So that the water will not overflow and cause floods. Senior officers have deployed to areas with landslides in such districts as Malkangiri and Gajapati to ensure the safety of the people.

Meaning and Origin of the Name Montha:

Montha name given by Thailand, which is among 13 nations that come up with names of cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region. The Montha word is translate to be a fragrant flower or a beautiful flower in Thai.

The Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC), New Delhi working under the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in liaison with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The UN Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) approves the names of cyclones in this region.

Some countries such as India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Yemen, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are included in the naming list that has 169 pre-approved names. The names on this list are given to each new cyclone.

States on Alert:

The IMD also given heavy rainfall alerts to Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. It is projected to further deepen into a system as it traverses northwestward of the Bay of Bengal. Just as the region is gearing up to face Cyclone Montha, people have advised to remain inside, take into account the government announcements and avoid going to the coastlines or the regions that are below sea levels.