"We are fully ready for this": Odisha Fire Department all prepped up ahead of Cyclone Montha

Puri (Odisha) [India], October 26 (ANI): Odisha Fire Department is on high alert ahead of the potential Cyclone Montha. Fire Officer Prabhat Kumar stated that the department is preparing for the approaching storm from October 27th to 29th and that it has followed all guidelines issued by the state government, administration, and higher authorities to tackle the cyclone and carry out rescue operations.
"There is a possibility of a cyclone from 27th to 29th October, so we are fully prepared. Following instructions from the government, administration, and higher authorities, we have prepared all our OBMs, power boats, power cutters, and portable lights for operation in darkness. We are fully ready for this," he said.
Speaking to ANI, Suryavanshi Mayur Vikas, DM Balasore, said, "The upcoming cyclone will make landfall in the Sadar region, as predicted by the IMD.... IMD has also predicted heavy rainfall in Balasore. A yellow alert is in effect from the 27th to the 29th of October, and an orange alert is issued for the 30th. All preparations are being made by the administration. If there is heavy rainfall, our SRC boat and draft team will be prepared. We are also keeping health facilities ready. Our block and district control rooms are already operational 24/7... We are making efforts to shift pregnant mothers who are expecting in the next few days, so that there are no issues during pregnancy or delivery. Arrangements for dry rations have also been made... All the departments, from fire to health, are involved. Fishermen have already been instructed not to go to the sea... The standard operating procedure of our state government is strictly being followed..."
The depression over southeast Bay of Bengal moved nearly westwards with a speed of 7 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 1130 hrs IST of today, the 25th October 2025, over the same region, near latitude 10.8°N & longitude 88.6E, about 460 km west-southwest of Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), 950 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 960 km southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 970 km southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) and 1030 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha).
It is likely to move nearly west-northwestwards, intensify into a deep depression by the 26th and into a cyclonic storm over the southwest & adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by the 27th morning. Thereafter, it is likely to move northwestwards, then north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of 28th October.
Continuing to move north-northwestwards, it is very possible to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the evening/night of 28th October as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.
Along with this, Telangana is likely to receive light to moderate rains from October 27th to 29th, particularly in isolated places in southern Telangana. Eastern parts of Telangana may also receive heavy rain in isolated pockets. The entire AP has been given a Red warning for coastal belts as well as the north and south AP. (ANI)