Cyclone Montha has left a path of destruction across eastern India this week, claiming at least two lives and displacing thousands as torrential rains and winds exceeding 120 km/h battered coastal regions. The storm made landfall near Odisha’s Paradip port on Tuesday, uprooting trees, flooding low-lying areas, and damaging critical infrastructure.
Local authorities confirmed widespread power outages and disruptions to road and rail networks across Odisha and West Bengal. “Rescue teams are working round the clock to clear debris and restore essential services,” said Odisha Disaster Management Commissioner Kamal Lochan Mishra. Over 50,000 residents have been evacuated to shelters, with emergency supplies being air-dropped to isolated villages.
The cyclone’s economic impact is already visible, with preliminary estimates suggesting $150 million in agricultural losses. Rice paddies and fishing communities along the Bay of Bengal suffered severe damage ahead of the harvest season. Meteorologists warn such intense weather events may become more frequent due to warming ocean temperatures.
As relief operations continue, the Indian Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rainfall in Nepal and Bhutan through Friday. Travelers to affected regions are advised to monitor advisories, while investors watch for potential impacts on India’s insurance and commodities markets.
