What's happened
Cyclone Montha made landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh with winds of 100 kph, causing flooding, uprooting trees, and damaging infrastructure. Evacuations were underway, and heavy rains are forecast across several states. Climate scientists link increased storm intensity to warming oceans and climate change.
What's behind the headline?
The recent cyclone highlights the growing threat of climate change-induced extreme weather in South Asia. The Indian coast's increasing frequency of severe storms is directly linked to warming oceans, which supply more energy to cyclones. Despite improved evacuation efforts, the scale of potential damage will likely grow, stressing infrastructure and disaster management systems. This event underscores the urgent need for climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. The storm's impact on millions illustrates how climate change is transforming natural disasters into more frequent and destructive events, with long-term socio-economic consequences for vulnerable populations.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Montha caused a storm surge of up to 10 feet and led to evacuations of tens of thousands. AP News emphasizes the storm's weakening winds but notes ongoing heavy rains and flooding risks. Both sources highlight the increased frequency of intense cyclones along India's coast, with climate scientists attributing this trend to warming oceans and climate change. The Independent details the storm's impact on low-lying villages, while AP News discusses the preparedness measures taken by authorities. The coverage from both outlets underscores the broader pattern of climate-driven extreme weather in South Asia, with experts warning that such storms will become more common and severe if global warming continues unchecked.
How we got here
Montha, a storm over the Bay of Bengal, intensified into a severe cyclone as it approached India's eastern coast. Historically prone to cyclones, India has seen an increase in intense storms, attributed to rising sea temperatures driven by climate change. Authorities have improved preparedness, but the frequency and severity of storms continue to rise, impacting millions.
Go deeper
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Kakinada is the sixth largest city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and serves as the district headquarters of the East Godavari district. It lies on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. The First Polytechnic college of Andhra Pradesh, Andhra Polytechnic
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Andhra Pradesh is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of 162,975 km² and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants.