The depression in the Bay of Bengal will intensify into a deep depression and later into cyclone Montha early on October 27, bringing along a heavy spell across Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Turning into a severe cyclonic storm, Montha is expected to cross the Andhra coast near Kakinada between Kalingapatnam and Machilipatnam on Tuesday, and will be accompanied by heavy winds with a maximum sustained speed of 90-100 kmph and gusting to 110 mph, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a bulletin.

As of today, the depression lay 970 km south east of Chennai as well as Visakhapatnam. Further, according to the MET report, under the impact of the cyclonic storm, north coastal and north interior parts of Tamil Nadu as well as delta region are expected to receive heavy to heavy rainfall.

However, independent weather observers have discounted a heavy downpour and attendant damages to Chennai and other parts of the state as Montha would be moving in a north-westerly direction towards coastal Andhra Pradesh.

The christening of cyclone as ‘Montha’ followed the suggestion by Thailand as the word meant ‘fragrant flower’ or ‘beautiful flower’ in the Thai language.

Fishermen have been advised to stay away from venturing into the sea and warning signals have been hoisted at ports and fishing harbours.

However, with the north-east monsoon being very active and Montha brewing, the state government is gearing up to face the emerging threat from the severe cyclonic storm.

Reviewing the situation with top officials at the secretariat in Chennai, Chief Minister M K Stalin has directed them to take all precautionary measures.

While Chennai already has 225 relief camps and shelters, the Chief Minister has ordered an adequate number of relief camps with basic amenities for evacuees, particularly in vulnerable and cyclone-prone districts. Officials have been directed to strengthen embankments of rivers and tanks to prevent breach during heavy downpour.

Since the onset of the monsoon on October 16, heavy rains under the influence of two Low Pressure Areas in the Bay lashed Chennai, Cuddalore and the Delta districts besides other places, damaging standing crops.