Rain lashed several parts of Odisha including the state capital Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, as the severe cyclonic storm Cyclone Montha weakened into a cyclonic storm while moving through neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed.
Several incidents of landslides, uprooting of trees, and damage to houses were reported from various districts, according to an official at the State’s Special Relief Commissioner’s office.
Rainfall and Wind Details
According to IMD bulletins and regional reporting:
- Light-to-moderate rain and winds of 30-40 km/h were recorded across the coastal belt including Khurda, Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur.
- The maximum rainfall of 105 mm was recorded in Mayurbhanj district, followed by 93.5 mm in Balasore, 90 mm in Khurda and 74.4 mm in Chandbali. (Note: The source for these exact district-wise figures is drawn from the initial user content; I couldn’t locate a verified official source for all these numbers.)
- The system — previously described as a “severe cyclonic storm” — moved north-northwestwards at around 15 km/h, centred about 460 km southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha), after landfall near Andhra coast.
Alerts and Forecast
After withdrawing the earlier red and orange alerts for southern Odisha, the Bhubaneswar Met Centre issued a yellow warning (be aware) for several districts including Ganjam, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur. (As reported)
Wind speeds were revised: Malkangiri & Koraput expected 45-55 km/h gusting to 65, while Gajapati, Rayagada, Kalahandi & Nabarangpur were forecasted 35-45 km/h.
Government Response
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the post-landfall situation on Tuesday night and said that while the state had escaped major impact, rescue teams and preparedness measures will remain in place until the system fully crosses the region. (This is based on the initial user content; I did not locate a direct public statement from the CM in the sources checked.)
Key Takeaways
- Odisha managed to avoid the worst of the storm’s impact, although several districts faced disruptions from rain, wind and landslides.
- The state’s timely withdrawal of higher alerts and issuance of a more measured yellow warning indicates confidence in advance preparedness and monitoring.
- While the greatest risk area for Montha was Andhra Pradesh, the impact on Odisha’s coastal belt reinforces the continuing vulnerability of eastern India to cyclonic systems.
- Detailed rainfall, wind and damage assessment will still be crucial in coming days — especially for agricultural loss, infrastructure damage and relief-planning.