India news: Andhra, Odisha brace for severe storm
India's weather department warned on Sunday of an incoming severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal that is likely to intensify and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by Tuesday.
Parts of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha were on alert on Sunday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of an incoming severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.
The weather agency said the depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.
IMD officials said the "maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 km/h gusting to 140 km/h by forenoon" is expected by October 28, when the storm is likely to make landfall.
The storm's landfall is expected to bring torrential rain and strong winds to the coastal regions, a scenario that authorities are preparing for with evacuations and precautionary measures.
Government and school closures
In response to the brewing cyclone, schools and colleges in five southern Odisha districts bordering Andhra Pradesh will stay closed on October 28 and 29, according to the Indian Express newspaper.
The newspaper also reported that President Droupadi Murmu's scheduled two-day visit to Odisha on October 28-29 has been postponed to early November due to the impending cyclone.
Historical context
Last year, Cyclone Montha made landfall along India's eastern coast, bringing torrential rain and strong winds as authorities evacuated tens of thousands of residents.
The storm caused significant damage and disruption, serving as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the coastal regions to such extreme weather events.
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