Bhubaneswar, Oct 28: As Cyclone Montha approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast, the Odisha government has stepped up its preparedness across vulnerable districts.

Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed that an Indian Coast Guard helicopter conducted aerial surveillance over the Bay of Bengal and found no Odia fishermen at sea.

Around 40 fishermen who had ventured out earlier have safely returned to Gopalpur, where the government has arranged shelter and food.

The minister also issued a stern warning to traders attempting to exploit the situation through hoarding and black marketing. He stated that any such activity would be met with strict action, adding, “Those who try to profit from this crisis, we’ll make sure they will forget they ever ran a business.”

Also read: Odisha Targets Zero Casualties as Cyclone Montha Nears Landfall

Suresh Pujari appealed to the public not to panic or stockpile daily essentials unnecessarily. He assured that the state has sufficient supplies and emphasized that the expected rainfall would last only two days, urging citizens to remain calm and avoid crowding markets.

Meanwhile, weather expert — Meteorologist — Dr Sarat Chandra Sahu provided insights into Cyclone Montha’s trajectory. He said that the storm, currently located 530 km from Gopalpur, is moving north-northwest but at a slower pace, which could delay landfall. He noted that the cyclone’s eye remains undefined, and wind speeds may weaken to around 40 km/h during landfall.

Heavy rainfall is forecast for coastal and southern Odisha, especially from Tuesday evening onward, with potential spillover into western and northern interior regions if the cyclone shifts toward Chhattisgarh. District administrations have been placed on high alert, and disaster response teams are actively monitoring the situation.

The Odisha government continues to prioritize zero casualty preparedness, deploying emergency services and coordinating with local bodies to ensure swift response and public safety.