Andhra braces for very severe cyclonic storm; Odisha activates disaster mitigation machinery | LIVE

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that a cyclonic storm brewing over the Bay of Bengal is set to intensify into a 'very severe cyclonic storm', potentially the second highest in intensity. Last year's Montha was classified as a 'severe cyclonic storm'. Maximum sustained wind speeds of a very severe cyclonic storm are expected to range between 118 km per hour and 221 km per hour.

The storm is anticipated to make landfall between the northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha coasts on October 28. In response, the Odisha Government activated its disaster response and mitigation machinery, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewing the state's preparedness and emphasizing a zero-casualty objective. The Odisha government directed officials to prioritize public safety, evacuation and emergency response.

Educational institutions in five Odisha districts will be closed on October 28 and 29, and fishermen along the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts have been advised not to venture into the sea. Southern Odisha districts are expected to experience heavy rain. The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast heavy to very heavy rain at isolated locations in several districts, with red alerts issued for areas in Tamil Nadu.

Heavy rain is also likely at isolated places in several districts across Tamil Nadu. Weather experts expect wind speeds to reach up to 130 kmph during the storm.