Cyclone Montha: 30 IndiGo, 2 Air India and 5 Air India Express flights cancelled – See full list
Air travel across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has been hit as Cyclone Montha approaches the state’s coastline, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and GMR Airports.
A total of 37 flights were cancelled on Tuesday, October 28, including 30 operated by IndiGo, two by Air India and five by Air India Express. The cancellations affected routes between Hyderabad’s Shamshabad airport and the cities of Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Rajahmundry, as airlines suspended operations ahead of the cyclone’s landfall.
The IMD said the Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) Montha is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada late tonight, with wind speeds of 90-100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph.
At 2.30 pm, the storm was located about 70 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 150 km south-southeast of Kakinada, 250 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam, and 480 km south-southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha, the IMD said in its latest bulletin.
HOURLY UPDATE BASED ON 1430 HOURS IST OF 28TH OCTOBER 2025 FOR SCS “MONTHA”
The SCS Montha moved north-northwestwards and at 1430 hrs IST of 28th Oct, it lay about 70 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 150km south-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 250 km south-southwest… pic.twitter.com/ihq2HOMY51— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 28, 2025
Andhra Pradesh prepares for landfall
The Andhra Pradesh government has set up over 800 relief centres and shifted pregnant women to hospitals in vulnerable areas, according to officials. NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed across Kakinada, East Godavari, and adjoining districts to assist in rescue and relief work.
Kakinada MP Uday Srinivas Tangella said the state is “fully prepared to face the cyclone”. “We have arranged more than 800 relief centres with all essential facilities. Around 1,000 electricians are stationed to maintain power supply, and 140 swimmers with boats are on standby for emergency response,” he said.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan are overseeing the situation from the Real-Time Governance System (RTGS) control room. Senior ministers Nara Lokesh, V Anitha, and P Narayana, along with Chief Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad, attended a review meeting to monitor preparedness.
Heavy rainfall alert for coastal districts
According to the IMD, widespread heavy rain is expected across 39 constituencies in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, and Nellore districts.
Chief Minister Naidu has directed ministers, MPs, and MLAs to stay in their constituencies and provide on-ground support. Officials in Kothapatnam village have urged residents to move to safer shelters as a precautionary measure.
In Uppada, NDRF Inspector Biswas said teams have been stationed in vulnerable areas. “We are monitoring the situation round the clock. Evacuations are being carried out where necessary. People should remain calm and cooperate with local authorities,” he said.
Roads closed, fishermen advised to stay ashore
Authorities have closed the Kakinada-Uppada beach road after about eight kilometres of the stretch suffered damage on Monday morning. Power supply and communication lines are being monitored closely in coastal areas.
In Odisha, around 50 fishing boats from Andhra Pradesh remain anchored at Gopalpur port due to rough sea conditions. Local MLA Krushna Chandra Nayak said the Odisha government has alerted district officials and put disaster response teams on standby.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu is expected to experience moderate rain with thunder and lightning in several southern districts, including Thoothukudi. Fishermen have been advised to stay off the coast for the fourth consecutive day.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed the Railways to take precautionary measures along the East Coast in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana to prevent service disruptions.
