Cyclone ‘Montha’ Weakens, Triggers Rain and Damage Across Odisha

Heavy rain lashed several parts of Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, on Wednesday as severe cyclone ‘Montha’ weakened into a cyclonic storm while moving inland through neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weakening system, though reduced in intensity, brought widespread showers and gusty winds to the coastal belt. The IMD reported light to moderate rainfall accompanied by wind speeds between 30 and 40 kmph across districts such as Khurda, Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur.

Officials at the Special Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) office confirmed reports of landslides, uprooted trees, and damage to houses from multiple districts. Disaster response teams and local administrations have been pressed into service to clear roads and restore electricity in affected areas.

The state government has urged residents in vulnerable zones to remain alert as intermittent rain and gusty winds may continue for the next 24 hours in some coastal and southern regions.

While no major casualties have been reported so far, authorities are assessing the extent of damage to infrastructure and property caused by the cyclone’s impact.