Authorities across eastern India have been put on high alert as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensifies into a severe cyclonic storm, likely to make landfall near the Andhra Pradesh coast on the evening of October 28, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Named Cyclone Montha , the system is expected to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, around Kakinada, packing wind speeds of 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph, news agency ANI reported. IMD Scientist S Jagannath Kumar said a red alert has been issued for several Andhra Pradesh districts, including Kakinada, Konaseema, West Godavari, Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam and Nellore. A storm surge of about one metre above the astronomical tide is also expected along the coast, he said.

The IMD

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