Thousands move to safety as India's east coast braces for Cyclone Montha
With cyclone expected to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, authorities evacuate thousands of people to relief camps, 219 cyclone shelters
Photo by Nandan Dave
ANKARA
Thousands of people have been evacuated to safer places and shelters along India's eastern coast, one day before Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall, officials said on Monday.
Weather authorities said the cyclone is expected to make landfall on Tuesday, bringing strong winds and heavy rains.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday.
With the cyclone approaching, authorities have evacuated thousands of people to relief camps and 219 cyclone shelters.
Earlier on Monday, India's East Coast Railway cancelled several trains for passenger safety.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the government is monitoring the impact of the cyclone on the state on an hourly basis.
He said the government has “already initiated measures to relocate people from coastal areas to rehabilitation centers.”
The National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have been deployed, he added.
