Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha[a] was a moderately costly tropical cyclone that affected Andhra Pradesh,Telangana,Odisha,and Tamil Nadu in October 2025 and later indirectly caused a disastrous avalanche in Nepal in November 2025. The twelfth depression,fifth deep depression,second cyclonic storm,and second severe cyclonic storm of the 2025 North Indian Ocean cyclone season,Montha formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal from an upper-level circulation on 25 October,it quickly strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm before making landfall near Narasapuram in Andhra Pradesh near midnight on 29 October,where it caused two fatalities. Over land,it moved northwards,weakening into a deep depression over Telangana,where it caused six additional deaths,and then a depression over Chhattisgarh. Montha degenerated into a remnant low on 30 October over Jharkand and brought rainfall to Nepal before becoming a low-pressure area on 31 October. Its effects indirectly resulted in an avalanche that killed seven climbers and injured eight. In its aftermath,Andhra Pradesh deployed 680 drones to assist in rescue efforts and requested aid from the Indian government to help recover.
On 23 October, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted the presence of an upper-level circulation over the southeast Bay of Bengal and gave it a high chance of formation into at least a depression within 72-96 hours.[3] The circulation developed intense convection later that day,[4] and a low-pressure area formed as a result early on 24 October.[5] The disturbance moved west-northwards that day[6] and was designated a well-marked low-pressure area with a central pressure of 1,005mbar (29.7inHg).[7] On 25 October, it strengthened into a depression while moving westwards.[8] Following further strengthening, it was designated a deep depression on 26 October.[9] Curved banding and increased convection was observed to the north of the center on 27 October, after which it was named Cyclonic Storm Montha.[10] The cyclone continued intensifying while moving northwestwards throughout the day as a complete curved banding pattern appeared,[11] and became a severe cyclonic storm the next day.[12] Montha then reached its peak intensity with winds of 95km/h (60mph) and a minimum central pressure of 988mbar (29.2inHg) later that day.[13] It made landfall near Narasapuram at midnight on 29 October at peak intensity.[14] Following landfall, Montha weakened first into a cyclonic storm as it moved inland,[15] and then into a deep depression over northern Andhra Pradesh.[16] Further weakening occurred as the system moved over southern Chhattisgarh, becoming a depression.[17] Montha degenerated into a remnant low while moving northwards on 30 October.[18] The remnant continued northwards, being located over northern Chhattisgarh on 31 October.[19] The IMD issued its last advisory on Montha later that day as it further weakened into a low-pressure area over northwest Jharkand.[20]
Preparations
On 27 October, the IMD issued a yellow alert for seven districts in Kerala for 28 October due to the possibility of heavy rain.[21] Five districts in Tamil Nadu were placed under an orange alert, indicating the possibility of very heavy rainfall, and six were placed under a yellow alert along with Puducherry.[22] On 28 October, orange alerts were issued for 12 districts and yellow alerts for seven districts in Telangana for 29 October.[23] Districts on the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha were placed under a red alert on 28 October, indicating extremely heavy rainfall.[24] Heavy rain alerts were also issued for Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.[1] Eight districts in Kerala were also placed under a yellow alert for 29 October.[25] Yellow alerts were issued for the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Rajasthan.[26]
In Andhra Pradesh, 38,000 residents of low-lying areas were evacuated and 1,906 relief camps were readied. Schools in the state were closed until 29 October. In Odisha, 32,000 people located in vulnerable areas were moved to relief camps.[27] Train services in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana were suspended, and a flood alert was issued for those on the banks of the Palar River in Tamil Nadu.[28] The National Disaster Response Force deployed 25 teams over multiple states, equipped with specialized rescue tools, to assist with rescue and relief efforts. Railway zones were also ordered to stay under high alert by the Union Minister for Railways.[29]
Montha caused heavy rain in Andhra Pradesh, with Ongole recording 25 cm of precipitation overnight as the cyclone made landfall. 87,000 hectares of crops were damaged, as well as 14 bridges and multiple roads. In Uppada, 61 houses were damaged, and 268 trees collapsed in Narasapuram.[30] 42 cattle were killed in the state and 1.8 million people were impacted. Rural water damage and irrigation damage totaled ₹524,500,000 (US$6.2million).[31] 13,000 electric poles and 3,000 transformers were damaged.[32] The Munneru River overflowed near Lingala, NTR district, cutting off road transportation. Farmers attempted to save inundated crops near the river.[33] The Veligonda Project was inundated, with both tunnels being flooded for 10 kilometers. Around 250 workers were evacuated from the second tunnel.[34] In a meeting on 29 October, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that Montha caused two deaths in the state.[35] One of the victims was a 43-year-old woman who was killed after a palmyra tree fell on her due to strong winds.[36]
Telangana
Flooding from Cyclone Montha on a street in Telangana
Severe flooding occurred in Telangana after Montha's movement into the state following weakening into a deep depression. Bheemadevarpalle recorded 41.9 cm of rainfall over a 25.5 hour period, while 35 other locations recorded over 20.5 cm. A man in the Vikarabad district was rescued after being swept up in the Kagna River. 500 students in Nalgonda district were rescued from a school, which was isolated due to flooding.[37] Six deaths occurred in Telangana as a result of Montha. A couple in Siddipet were swept away by floodwaters while on two-wheelers. Another woman in Jangaon was also killed by fast-moving floodwaters after she was pulled beneath it. A tree fell on a man in Suryapet while he was on the road. A woman was killed in Mahabubabad when a wall caved in on her, and a man in Warangal died in his home due to flooding. Several others were reported missing.[32]
Montha impacted Nepal as a remnant low, originally bringing heavy rainfall. 210 mm of rainfall was recorded in Sundar Haraicha over a 24 hour period. In Baramjhiya, 143 mm of rainfall was recorded. Two other locations recorded rainfall above 90 mm, and 24 recorded rainfall in the 50-80 mm range. Lalitpur recorded 72 mm and Kathmandu recorded 40 mm.[38]
Heavy rainfall from Montha combined with later sunny weather likely contributed to an avalanche at a base camp on the mountain of Yalung Ri on 3 November.[39] Seven climbers were killed by the avalanche — three Italians, two Nepalis, one German and one French. Eight others were injured.[40][39] Four of the injured climbers were rescued and taken to Kathmandu by helicopter for medical attention, while the remaining four were guides who were taken to the Na village for treatment.[41] On 4 November, rescuers began searching for the bodies of the victims, and three bodies were retrieved by that afternoon.[42] Five missing climbers were unable to be located, and the search ended on 7 November.[43]
Elsewhere
In southern Odisha, Montha's outer bands caused multiple trees to fall. Roads were blocked and landslides cut off parts of Paralakhemundi, R. Udayagiri, and Kashipur.[44] Gosani in the Gajapati district received 150 mm of rainfall over a 24-hour period, while Patrapur received 120 mm. 32 other locations in the state also recorded heavy rainfall.[45] In Tamil Nadu, Ennore had 13 cm of rainfall over the 24-hour period when Montha made landfall. Other areas around Chennai received light to moderate rainfall. Precipitation was also recorded as far south as Kanyakumari.[46]
Aftermath
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minster Pawan Kalyan surveys crop damage in the Krishna district following Cyclone Montha
After the passage of Montha, damage was estimated at $603 million USD.[47] The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, visited Konaseema to survey the damage caused by Montha on 30 October. Each person who took shelter in the relief camps set up before the cyclone was given ₹1,000 (US$12) as financial assistance. Families with more than three members received up to ₹3,000 (US$35).[48] Andhra Pradesh's fire department received 94 rescue calls and removed 117 uprooted trees following the cyclone. The body of a woman was found inside an uprooted tree, which was cut open.[49]Botsa Satyanarayana accused the state government of failing to properly assess the damage or compensate the farmers impacted.[50] To carry out rescue operations in Andhra Pradesh, 680 drones were deployed. With the help of the drones, police were able to rescue a man in Parchur who was swept away by floodwaters and were able to identify a boat which had washed away in the Krishna River.[51][52] An inter-ministerial team visited Prakasam district on 10 November to assess the damage caused by the cyclone.[53] The total damage was reassessed to ₹63,840,000,000 (US$760million) the same day, and Andhra Pradesh requested ₹9,010,000,000 (US$110million) from the Indian government as assistance to recover.[52]
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