Cyclone Montha: India Evacuations and School Closures
- A cyclone is approaching India's eastern coastline, notably impacting Andhra Pradesh.
- * Location: currently 160 kilometers (99 miles) southeast of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
Here’s a summary of the provided text:
A cyclone is approaching India’s eastern coastline, notably impacting Andhra Pradesh.
Key Details:
* Location: currently 160 kilometers (99 miles) southeast of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
* Intensity: Expected to intensify with winds of 90-110 kph (55-68 mph).
* Warnings: ”Red alerts” (highest level) issued for 19 districts in Andhra Pradesh, with forecasts of extremely heavy rain. neighboring states (Tamil Nadu, telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka) are also expecting showers.
* Evacuations: 38,000 people have been evacuated in Andhra Pradesh,with an estimated 4 million vulnerable people. 32,000 people are being shifted in Odisha.
* Preparations: 1,906 relief camps and 364 school shelters are prepared. Schools and colleges are closed until Wednesday, and fishermen are warned to stay off the sea. Train and flight services are disrupted.
* Climate Context: Severe storms are becoming more frequent and extreme in South Asia due to global warming. India’s eastern coasts are historically prone to cyclones, but the intensity is increasing. 2023 was a particularly deadly cyclone season for India.