Heavy rain, high winds and possibility of flooding: Holiday declared in educational institutions in two southern states along with one eastern state

CHENNAI: Three states have been put on high alert following the formation of Cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal. Educational institutions in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have been declared closed tomorrow in the wake of the cyclone. The states have been warned of heavy rain, high winds and the possibility of flooding.

Heavy rain and winds gusting up to 110 kmph are likely over Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha. Cyclone Montha is expected to bring extremely heavy rain and winds to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal, prompting governments to beef up their preparedness.

As of early Monday, Montha was located about 680 km south-southeast of Kakinada and 850 km south of Gopalpur in Odisha. The Indian Meteorological Department has warned that the cyclone will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours and will cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam. Winds are expected to blow at 90-100 kmph, gusting at 110 kmph at times. Sea waves of up to one meter are also possible in low-lying coastal areas.