Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 26: The Indian Army has been placed on high alert as two developing weather systems over the East Central Arabian Sea and the Southeast Bay of Bengal are expected to merge and intensify into Cyclone Montha within the next 48 hours, officials said on Sunday.
According to official sources, the Army is working in close coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and coastal state administrations to ensure rapid response and preparedness ahead of the potential landfall.
As of early Sunday, a depression over the East Central Arabian Sea was located about 700 km west-southwest of Mumbai and 760 km west of Panjim, and is expected to move westwards over the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, a deep depression over the Southeast Bay of Bengal, situated roughly 610 km west of Port Blair and 790 km east-southeast of Chennai, is projected to intensify into a cyclonic storm and further into a severe cyclonic storm by October 28.
Meteorologists predict that Cyclone Montha will impact the Andhra Pradesh coast, particularly between Machilipatnam and Kakinada, by the evening or night of October 28, bringing wind speeds of 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph. Heavy rainfall and strong winds are also expected across coastal Odisha and northern Tamil Nadu during this period.
To bolster disaster preparedness, the Indian Army has activated Disaster Response Columns (DRCs) across likely affected regions. Both dedicated and reserve columns have been positioned in:
• Karnataka (8 and 9)
• Kerala (6 and 7)
• Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (10 and 7)
• Tamil Nadu (7 and 8)
• West Bengal (7)
• Lakshadweep & Minicoy Islands (1 and 1)
Army control rooms are maintaining 24x7 coordination with the NDMA, IMD, and local administrations to enable swift evacuation, rescue, and relief operations in case of emergencies.
“The Indian Army remains fully prepared to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to citizens in any situation arising from Cyclone Montha,” an official affirmed.
The government has urged residents in coastal areas to stay alert and follow advisories issued by local authorities and the IMD as weather conditions continue to evolve.