Bhubaneswar: Cyclonic Storm “Montha” has weakened into a Deep Depression over coastal Andhra Pradesh & adjoining Telangana, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Wednesday.
The storm has been gradually losing strength over land after crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast late last night. It over coastal Andhra Pradesh moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during the past six hours, weakened into a Deep Depression and lay centered at 8.30 am, about 50 km south-southeast of Bhadrachalam (Telangana), 110 km east of Khammam (Telangana), 130 km south-southwest of Malkangiri (Odisha) and 220 km south-southwest of Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), according to the midday bulletin, the storm
It further stated that the system may move north-northwestwards across Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Telangana & south Chhattisgarh and weaken into a depression during the next 6 hours.
Meanwhile, tourists have returned to Gopalpur beach amid an improvement in the weather. “The Administration was very active and did not allow anyone to venture outside yesterday. All shops were also closed. Today, the weather is improving. We might also get a chance to enter the sea. I hope all restrictions will be lifted today,” a tourists from Kolkata said.
Forecast for Odisha Today
Under the influence of the system, heavy rain may continue at one or two places in the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Bhadrak, Balasore, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh and Nabarangpur on October 29.
Strong wind sand heavy rain in these districts may damage plantation, horticulture and standing crops, kutcha houses and roads. Road and rail traffic may also get affected amid reduced visibility due to heavy downpour. There could be localised flash floods, landslides, mudslides, landslips, water logging, inundation and flooding in low-lying areas.
The weather agency has also warned of thunderstorm/lightning and surface wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph at one or two places in Koraput and Malkangiri. Thunderstorm/lightning along with wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph may also lash Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Gajapati. Thunderstorm, lightning accompanied by gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph may also occur at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Balangir and Kandhamal districts.
Squally wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmphis also likely to prevail along and off Odisha coasts till October 29 afternoon and decrease gradually thereafter.
Though there is no further heavy rain warning, thunderstorm activity along with gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph is likely to continue in the state in the subsequent two days. Warning has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj on October 30, and Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj on October 31.
Montha Lost Steam
According to Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC) of SOA Deemed to be University here, Montha suddenly weakened near the coast due to cold water and release of latent heat was not enough to maintain temperature of sea water. Cloud mass began pushing westwards and getting clear in South Odisha adjoining Andhra Pradesh. So, light to moderate rain may occur in Interior districts, including South and western parts of Odisha from October 29-30. However, severe thunderstorm may occur during the period .
Light to moderate rain is also likely in coastal districts, including Bhubaneswar, on October 29.