New Delhi, Oct 29
The impact of Cyclone Montha is being increasingly felt across Bihar, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a heavy rainfall alert for several districts.
According to the latest IMD forecast, districts including West Champaran, Kaimur, Banka, Rohtas, Gaya, Sheikhpura, and Nawada are expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall on Wednesday as the cyclone’s outer bands move northward.
The cyclonic system is also likely to cause a notable drop in temperatures and strong gusty winds across parts of southern and western Bihar over the next 24 hours. The weather office has urged farmers to suspend harvesting and drying activities, while residents have been advised to avoid open areas and weak structures.
Meanwhile, the IMD confirmed that the landfall process of the ‘severe’ Cyclone Montha began early off the Andhra Pradesh coast, between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada district. The landfall process will continue for three to four hours, said Dr. M. Mohapatra, Director General of the IMD. The storm moved north-northwestwards at a speed of about 15 kmph over the past six hours before intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm around 5:30 a.m.