ANDHRA Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Central assistance to the State to deal with cyclone ‘Montha’, which is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday morning. The Chief Minister said that PM Modi called him earlier in the day to enquire about the intensity of the cyclone and the precautionary measures being taken. Montha means fragrant flower. According to an official release, the CM briefed the PM about the relief and precautionary measures taken by the State Government. The PM in turn assured all necessary support from the Centre.

 

Naidu entrusted the responsibility of coordination with Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to State IT Minister Nara Lokesh and directed officials to take precautionary steps in areas prone to heavy rains and flooding due to the cyclone. The CM held a review meeting with officials over the cyclone at Real Time Governance System (RTGS). Parts of north TN receive heavy rains: FOUR districts of northern Tamil Nadu, including the State capital, received heavy rainfall on Monday even as cyclonic storm ‘Montha’ is currently located in the Bay of Bengal, about 480 km east of Chennai, the Regional Meteorological Centre said.

 

Speaking to reporters on the preparations being undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Government, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said as the cyclone is expected to cross the coast tomorrow, it will not cause major damage in Tamil Nadu. Evacuation drive continue in Odisha: The Odisha Government was evacuating people from vulnerable places amid light rains in eight southern districts where a “red alert” has been issued as the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal on Monday intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Montha’. Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari said officials, local people’s representatives, Anganwadi workers, ASHA didis and others are convincing the people living in vulnerable areas to shift to safer places.

 

Heavy rain in several West Bengal districts: CYCLONE Montha is likely to bring heavy rain in several districts across West Bengal from Tuesday to Friday, the IMD said. The weather system, situated over the Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a special bulletin. Heavy rain lashes Kerala, two killed; orange alert in five districts: HEAVY rain accompanied by strong winds lashed several districts across Kerala on Monday, causing waterlogging in low-lying areas, officials said. In Alappuzha district, a fisherman died after his boat capsized near the Arthunkal coast following a strong wind. The deceased was identified as Paul Devasia, a native of Arthunkal.