Cyclone Montha Weakens After 72 Hours of Fury; IMD Issues Heavy Rain Alert for 10+ Maharashtra Districts
Cyclone Montha weakens after 72 hours of intense activity, but the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rain alert for over 10 districts in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Konkan, and Pune
Severe cyclonic storm Montha weakened into a cyclonic storm over coastal Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, said India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather department has issued orange warning for several districts across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, indicating that heavy rainfall is expected in these areas. Amid the cyclone, which made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada on Tuesday, Nellore district witnessed the highest amount of rainfall on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI. A woman was killed in Makanagudem village of Andhra Pradesh’s Konaseema district after strong winds uprooted a palmyra tree that fell on her, a police official told the news agency.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government’s two attempts at cloud seeding on Tuesday to induce artificial rain over the national capital failed. The trials were done as part of measures to curb deteriorating pollution levels in the city.
The trials were conducted by the Delhi government in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur in various areas of Delhi such as Burari, north Karol Bagh, Mayur Vihar, and Badli, according to Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.
Cyclone Montha left a trail of destruction in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on Tuesday with uprooted trees to flooded farmlands.
The cyclone made landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh around 7 pm on Tuesday.
Police in Andhra Pradesh cleared traffic on National Highway 16 early Wednesday morning after a massive tree fell down in Anakapalli town, leading to traffic snarls.
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flooding in Odisha’s Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts.
Roads were blocked by boulders and fallen trees in several areas, while one person was injured in a house collapse in Gajapati district.
After unleashing strong winds and heavy rains across India’s western coast, Cyclone Montha has now weakened into a deep depression, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Despite losing intensity, the system continues to pose a threat as it brings widespread rainfall and gusty winds across several regions of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Konkan, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Pune, and Palghar.
In its latest weather bulletin, the IMD confirmed that Cyclone Montha has moved northeastward after hovering over the Arabian Sea for nearly 72 hours. The system, which earlier showed signs of intensification, gradually lost strength due to cooler sea surface temperatures and interaction with land. However, the weakening does not eliminate the risk of adverse weather.
The IMD has issued a yellow and orange alert for over 10 districts in Maharashtra, predicting moderate to heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours. Coastal and western districts are likely to see the most impact, with localized flooding and waterlogging anticipated in low-lying areas.
According to IMD’s regional forecast, Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar may experience occasional spells of heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 km/h. In Konkan and central Maharashtra, rainfall intensity is expected to increase during evening hours, while interior regions such as Pune, Kolhapur, and Satara may receive moderate rainfall.
The weather office has also warned of possible disruptions in local train services, traffic delays, and flight rescheduling due to poor visibility and slippery roads. Citizens have been advised to stay indoors during heavy rain spells and avoid venturing near the sea or water bodies.
As the system continues to move inland, the IMD has prohibited fishing activities along the Konkan coast until further notice. High sea waves and rough conditions have been reported near the shorelines of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. The Indian Coast Guard and local authorities have deployed teams to ensure the safety of fishermen and coastal residents.
“Though Cyclone Montha has weakened, its remnants will continue to bring significant moisture into the western parts of India, leading to intermittent rain,” said an IMD official. “We advise people to stay alert and follow official updates closely.”
The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) has directed all district administrations to remain on standby. Emergency control rooms have been activated to monitor real-time weather data. Power utilities and municipal corporations in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane have been instructed to ensure quick responses in case of power outages or flooding incidents.
In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has deployed pumps in flood-prone areas and kept disaster response teams ready. Public transport authorities, including BEST and Mumbai Metro, have also been asked to coordinate with IMD and civic agencies to ensure commuter safety.
Meteorologists predict that as Cyclone Montha continues to dissipate, rainfall activity will gradually subside by the weekend, but humid conditions will persist across Maharashtra. Northern and central parts of the state may witness light showers, while coastal belts could continue to experience scattered rainfall.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious despite the cyclone’s weakening trend, emphasizing that secondary weather effects such as strong winds and flash floods can still occur.
As Maharashtra braces for lingering rains, the focus remains on preparedness, coordination, and community safety—ensuring that the aftermath of Cyclone Montha is managed with vigilance and minimal disruption.
