A weather system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen into a very severe cyclonic storm and make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28, according to The Hindu, citing the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The paper reports that winds of 115 to 125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, are expected at the time of landfall.
The Hindu describes a very severe cyclonic storm as the second-highest category in terms of intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 118 to 221 kmph. The paper notes that last year's Montha was classified as a severe cyclonic storm, one level below.
Why it matters
Two states are preparing at once. The Hindu reports that the Odisha government activated its disaster response and mitigation machinery on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the state's readiness and told officials to put public safety, evacuation and emergency response first, with a zero-casualty goal. Telegraph India reports that Odisha has called officials back to duty and stepped up safety measures ahead of the landfall.
On the Andhra side, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed preparations with officials, The Hindu reports. The paper says a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen and bring heavy to very heavy rain to the coastal districts on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mr. Naidu directed officials to keep fishermen off the sea, warn people in low-lying areas and set up toll-free numbers for emergency help.
The Hindu also reports that the IMD expects the system to become a cyclonic storm by October 26 before moving toward the Andhra coast by October 28.
Rain alerts spread beyond the two states
The disturbance is affecting weather well beyond the landfall zone. The Hindu reports that the IMD placed Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts of Kerala under a red alert, with an orange alert in ten districts — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kannur — and a yellow alert in Kasaragod. The paper explains that a red alert means extremely heavy rain of more than 20 cm in 24 hours, orange means 11 to 20 cm and yellow means 6 to 11 cm.
Later on Sunday, the IMD issued an orange alert for five Kerala districts — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathannamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam — for three hours from 8 a.m., according to The Hindu. The paper also reports that strong winds of 40 to 50 kmph were predicted in parts of the state. KWS Chennai reports that a break in the rains is likely as the cyclone heads toward the Andhra coast.
In Tamil Nadu, The Hindu reports that the Tiruvannamalai Collector, Vandhana Garg, barred tourists from Bheeman Falls in the Jawadhu Hills on Sunday because of heavy rainwater flow in the hills. The Kovai Courtallam waterfall in Coimbatore district also stayed closed to visitors on Sunday due to heavy water inflow, the paper reports.
The Hindu reports that heavy rain hit parts of Bengaluru in the early hours of Sunday after light to moderate showers overnight. The IMD forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers, heavy at times, over the next 24 hours, with the city generally cloudy and temperatures between 21°C and 26°C. City traffic police said only intermittent drizzle was recorded until 11 p.m. on Saturday, with no waterlogging or traffic disruption, according to the paper.
In Chennai, Greater Chennai Corporation asked residents in a post on X on Sunday to call 1913 right away about fallen trees on roads or other civic emergencies during the northeast monsoon, giving the street name, area and a nearby landmark for a quick response, The Hindu reports. The paper says GCC South Zone Deputy Commissioner Ahtab Rasool inspected waterlogged areas in Wards 181, 193 and 196 and told officials to speed up pumping-station operations and relief work.
The Hindu reports that Delhi's temperature fell to 17°C after overnight rain and thunderstorms. The city recorded 4.4 mm of rain between 8.30 p.m. on Saturday and 8.30 a.m. on Sunday, against a low of 18.3°C the day before. The IMD expects more rain with thunderstorms on Sunday, with a maximum of 31°C. Air quality was moderate at 9 a.m. with an AQI of 167, and 11 of 54 stations were in the poor category, the highest at IIT Delhi at 245.
The paper also reports that Jharkhand is likely to get rain on October 28 and 29 as the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensifies into a cyclonic storm.
Damage already recorded
Some districts have taken a hit before the cyclone arrives. The Hindu reports that, according to district administration data, 15 huts were partly damaged, one hut collapsed and 16 revetments were damaged. The continuous spell also brought down two high-tension poles, nine low-tension poles and one distribution transformer, and uprooted 28 trees.
The Hindu reports that repair work was under way on Sunday at a landslip site at Burliyar on the Mettupalayam-Coonoor ghat section of Udhagamandalam Road.
The next few days will show whether the system follows the IMD's track. Coastal residents in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, along with fishermen and travellers in the affected districts, should watch for updated warnings from the weather office and state authorities.
