India Evacuates Tens of Thousands as Severe Cyclone 'Monta' Intensifies

India moved 50,000 people to relief camps on Monday as Cyclone Monta gains strength over the Bay of Bengal. The storm is expected to intensify into a severe cyclone by Tuesday before hitting the eastern coast, potentially affecting nearly 4 million people across two states.

Officials began evacuations one day ahead of the cyclone's expected landfall on India's eastern coastline. The storm will bring powerful winds and heavy rainfall when it reaches land, prompting authorities to take swift action.

The government canceled emergency worker holidays and ordered schools and universities to close in coastal areas of southern Andhra Pradesh and eastern Odisha states. Both regions lie directly in the storm's projected path.

India's Meteorological Department said the cyclone will likely become a severe storm by Tuesday before crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast later that day. The timing gives authorities a narrow window to complete evacuations and prepare emergency response.

"Evacuation of residents near the coast in the Kakinada area has already begun," said a disaster management official. The port city of Kakinada sits in one of the most vulnerable areas along the coastline.

Disaster management teams spread across Andhra Pradesh to move families from low-lying areas. The state government expects 3.9 million people could be affected by the storm's impact.

India faces multiple cyclones each year during monsoon season, but early warning systems and evacuation procedures have significantly reduced casualty numbers in recent years. The country's disaster response has improved after devastating storms in previous decades killed thousands.

The evacuations show how India now prioritizes moving people to safety before storms hit, rather than responding after damage occurs. Relief camps provide temporary shelter until the cyclone passes and residents can safely return home.