Of the 22 teams, 10 have been stationed in Andhra Pradesh, six in Odisha, three in Tamil Nadu, two in Chhattisgarh, and one in Puducherry, according to an NDRF statement. Additionally, 20 more teams are on standby at strategic locations for immediate deployment, if needed
People stand near the debris amid rough sea conditions ahead of the landfall of Cyclone Montha, in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. PIC/PTI
As Cyclone Montha intensifies and approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 22 teams to vulnerable coastal districts across multiple states in anticipation of the storm’s landfall on Tuesday night, news agency ANI reported.
Of the 22 teams, 10 have been stationed in Andhra Pradesh, six in Odisha, three in Tamil Nadu, two in Chhattisgarh, and one in Puducherry, according to an NDRF statement. Additionally, 20 more teams are on standby at strategic locations for immediate deployment, if needed.
Each NDRF team is equipped with essential rescue tools such as boats, cutting equipment, communication gear, and other specialised tools for evacuation, relief, and restoration operations, ANI reported.
Cyclone Montha, which originated over the west-central Bay of Bengal, has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclone is likely to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh Coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, late on Tuesday.
"The Cyclonic Storm Montha moved north-northwestward at a speed of 15 kmph over the past 6 hours and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. At 0530 hrs IST on October 28, it was located approximately 190 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 270 km southeast of Kakinada, 340 km southwest of Visakhapatnam, and 550 km southwest of Gopalpur," stated IMD.
It added, "The storm is likely to continue moving north-northwestward and make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada later today, with maximum sustained winds of 90-100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph."
Several coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha along the expected path of the cyclone have already been experiencing heavy rainfall this morning. Chennai has also witnessed rain, and the weather bureau has predicted moderate rainfall with light thunderstorms and lightning in several districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chengalpattu, Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Kanniyakumari.
Meanwhile, in response to the cyclone, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi convened a high-level meeting at the Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar to assess the state's preparedness, ANI reported.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and senior officials from various departments participated in the meeting, while district collectors from cyclone-prone areas joined virtually.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has urged officials to take immediate action to protect lives and minimise damage in coastal areas.
(With ANI inputs)
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