Cyclone Montha batters India’s East coast: Heavy rains and cloudy skies grip Bengaluru too

As Cyclone Montha strikes Andhra’s coast with powerful 110 kmph winds, its impact is being felt far inland, bringing overcast skies, cool winds, and continuous rain to Bengaluru and several parts of Karnataka.

The Bay of Bengal has brewed yet another powerful storm, Cyclone Montha, which has made landfall along Andhra Pradesh’s coastline, bringing winds gusting up to 110 kmph and triggering widespread rainfall across eastern and southern India.

The cyclone, formed from a depression over the northwestern Bay of Bengal, has rapidly intensified, affecting Machilipatnam, Kakinada, and Kalingapatnam. As the storm barrels inland, its impact is being felt hundreds of kilometres away, especially in Bengaluru and interior Karnataka.

Also Read:Farmers oppose PRR project and reject BDA’s five-point compensation formula

While Andhra and Odisha brace for heavy destruction, Bengaluru woke up to dark clouds, gusty winds, and a sudden temperature drop on Tuesday morning. Meteorologists from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) have attributed the change in weather to the outer rain bands of Cyclone Montha, which are now covering large parts of south interior Karnataka.

Steady drizzle and intermittent moderate rain have been reported in Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru, and Chikkaballapur districts. The city’s maximum temperature has dropped by nearly 4°C, and a persistent chill has settled in. Traffic across key junctions slowed as early morning showers drenched the city, while residents welcomed the sudden coolness after weeks of dry weather.

Officials predict the rainy spell will continue for the next three days, with chances of heavier downpours in Mysuru, Shivamogga, Hassan, and Kodagu. Power disruptions and waterlogging have already been reported in parts of south Bengaluru, prompting the GBA and BESCOM to stay on alert.

Also Read:Contractor Sharanappa Kurabanala exposed for using Lokayukta officers’ names to extort crores

Meanwhile, Odisha has declared a red alert in nine districts, deploying NDRF and SDRF teams. Schools and offices in 16 districts remain closed as torrential rain batters Bhubaneswar, Gajapati, and southern regions. West Bengal too is facing the storm’s fury, with heavy rain forecasts for Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly.