Nagpur: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said that the impact of Cyclone Montha is set to affect Vidarbha over the next few days, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected across several districts. The department has issued an Orange Alert for October 29, warning of intense downpours accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph.
According to the IMD forecast, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, and Yavatmal districts are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain on October 29. A Yellow Alert has also been issued for October 28, 29, and 30 for Chandrapur, Nagpur, Gadchiroli, Wardha, Yavatmal, Bhandara, and Gondia districts, predicting heavy rain with winds blowing at 30–40 kmph.
Nagpur is expected to witness heavy showers on October 29 and 30, while thunderstorms are likely to occur on October 28, the weather office said in a press release.
On Monday, Buldhana district recorded the highest rainfall in Vidarbha at 13.5 mm. The day’s maximum temperatures ranged from 29°C to 35°C — slightly below normal — while the minimum temperatures hovered between 20°C and 23°C, remaining within the normal range. Relative humidity levels were between 84% and 93% across the region. Brahmapuri recorded the highest maximum temperature at 34.6°C, whereas Bhandara registered the lowest minimum at 20°C.
Cyclone ‘Montha’ Strengthens Over Bay of Bengal
As of 8:30 am on Monday, Cyclone Montha was positioned over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, moving north-northwestwards at 18 kmph. The system was located about 520 km east-southeast of Chennai, 570 km south-southeast of Kakinada, 600 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 750 km south of Gopalpur, and 850 km west of Port Blair.
The IMD has predicted that the cyclone will continue to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28. It is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kakinada by the evening or night of October 28, with wind speeds expected to reach 90–100 kmph and gusts up to 110 kmph.
A trough extending from the upper-air cyclonic circulation over the east-central Arabian Sea to west Madhya Pradesh — across south Gujarat and the northeast Arabian Sea — also persists between 1.5 and 3.1 km above mean sea level.
Due to these combined weather systems, the IMD has forecast widespread rain across central India, including Vidarbha, over the next two to three days. The department has also indicated that La Niña conditions could contribute to a wetter-than-usual winter this year.
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