Cyclone Montha: Formation, Impact, and Other Details

India’s eastern coastline is bracing for Cyclone Montha, a system that has intensified from a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Montha is expected to evolve into a Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) by 28 October 2025, impacting states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana, Kerala, and Chhattisgarh with heavy rains and strong winds.

This event raises several important questions: How do tropical storms form? Why are they so common in the Bay of Bengal? And who decides their names? Here’s a full breakdown.

How Tropical Storms Like Cyclone Montha Form

Tropical cyclones originate over warm ocean waters and require specific atmospheric conditions. Here’s how the process works,

• Low-Pressure Formation: Warm ocean waters heat the air above, creating a low-pressure zone that draws in surrounding moist air.
• Convection and Cloud Formation: The rising moist air cools and condenses, forming storm clouds.
• Cyclonic Circulation: Due to the Earth’s rotation (Coriolis force), the air begins to spiral, intensifying the system.
• Strengthening into a Cyclone: If sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remain high (above 27°C) and wind shear is low, the system strengthens into a Cyclonic Storm and possibly a Severe Cyclonic Storm.

In Montha’s case, it began as a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and rapidly intensified due to favourable SSTs and moist atmospheric conditions.

Why the Bay of Bengal Sees Frequent Cyclones

The Bay of Bengal is one of the world’s most active cyclone basins, especially during pre-monsoon (April–May) and post-monsoon (October–November) periods. Reasons include,

• Warm, shallow waters that sustain heat longer than deeper seas.
• High humidity and moisture content in the region.
• Enclosed geography that traps warm currents and fuels cyclogenesis.
• Frequent low-pressure systems that act as cyclone seeds.

Cyclone Montha follows this typical pattern, having formed in late October and expected to move northwestward towards Andhra Pradesh’s coast.

Naming the Storm: Why “Montha”?

• The name “Montha” was contributed by Thailand, as part of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and ESCAP Panel that oversees cyclone naming in the North Indian Ocean.
• Each country in the panel submits names in advance, which are used sequentially once a system reaches cyclonic strength. The name Montha likely refers to a fragrant flower or fruit in Thai culture.
• The naming system helps in public communication, disaster preparedness, and avoiding confusion when multiple systems occur simultaneously.

Cyclone Montha’s Forecast and Expected Impact

According to IMD, Cyclone Montha is likely to,

• Reach Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) status by 28 October
• Make landfall between Kakinada and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh
• Bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh
• Cause storm surge and wind damage in coastal regions
• Disrupt fishing, agriculture, and power lines in vulnerable areas

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, and evacuation efforts are underway in multiple coastal districts. Schools in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have also been shut as a precaution.

Importance of Understanding Cyclones for Preparedness

Understanding cyclone behavior is essential not just for meteorologists but also for policy planners, disaster management authorities, and the public. With climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather, early warning systems, evacuation planning, and infrastructure resilience have become critical.

Cyclone Montha serves as a real-time example for competitive exam aspirants to understand,

• The science behind cyclone formation
• Regional vulnerability (Bay of Bengal vs Arabian Sea)
• Disaster naming protocols and international coordination