Thiruvananthapuram: Cyclone Monta, swirling over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall today, bringing heavy rain and strong winds across southern India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed seven Kerala districts — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki — under a yellow alert, warning of intense showers throughout the day.
The cyclone is projected to hit the Andhra coast with wind speeds reaching up to 110 km/h, prompting high alert in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Disaster management teams have been deployed in coastal areas as a precaution.
Kerala is likely to experience moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds up to 50 km/h in isolated regions.
The IMD has also banned fishing activities along the Kerala–Lakshadweep coast today and the Karnataka coast till tomorrow, warning of rough seas and squally weather. Winds are expected to blow at 40–50 km/h, occasionally touching 60 km/h, making conditions unsafe for maritime activities.
As Cyclone Monta edges closer to land, authorities have urged residents and fishermen to remain cautious and follow official safety advisories.
