Cyclone Mantha: Heavy Rain Lashes South Bengal, Sundarbans Bear the Brunt
Cyclone Mantha: Heavy Rain Lashes South Bengal, Sundarbans Bear the Brunt
After wreaking havoc along the Andhra Pradesh coast, Cyclone Mantha has gradually weakened, but its impact continues to be felt across eastern India. The storm, which made landfall late Tuesday night near Kakinada, has brought widespread rain and gusty winds to several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Since Wednesday morning, skies over South Bengal have remained overcast, accompanied by intermittent spells of light to moderate rainfall. The Sundarbans, Kakdwip, and South 24 Parganas districts are witnessing the heaviest effects of the storm. Gusty winds have been blowing since early morning, and the sea along the coastal belt has turned turbulent, prompting officials to issue red alerts in vulnerable regions.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Mantha weakened into a deep depression after crossing into land in Andhra Pradesh. However, its remnants are still strong enough to trigger rainfall across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal until at least Friday. In Kolkata, the day began with persistent drizzle and dark clouds covering the sky, keeping the sun hidden throughout the day.
The cyclone made landfall near Kakinada on Tuesday night with winds gusting up to 110 km per hour. The powerful wind and heavy downpour battered several areas in Andhra Pradesh, uprooting trees, damaging houses, and flooding roads. According to initial reports, at least three people have lost their lives due to the cyclone. Local authorities have begun emergency relief operations to clear debris and restore normalcy.
Although the storm has lost much of its strength since moving inland, meteorologists have warned that rainfall will continue for the next few days. In southern Odisha, particularly in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, heavy rain and strong winds have disrupted normal life. Trees have been uprooted, roads blocked, and some areas have been cut off due to landslides. Winds are still blowing at speeds of nearly 100 km per hour. While no major casualties have been reported so far, landslides have isolated parts of Udayagiri, Paralakhemundi, and Kashipur.
IMD Director Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that the cyclone’s influence would persist until Wednesday and gradually weaken as it moves northward over southern Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Nevertheless, he cautioned that the risk of landslides and localized flooding remains high due to the continuous rainfall.
In West Bengal, especially in South 24 Parganas and the Sundarbans, the storm’s intensity increased overnight. Heavy rain and strong winds continued into Wednesday morning. The state administration has advised all fishermen not to venture into the sea, and coastal residents are being moved to safer locations as a precautionary measure. Disaster management teams and local police are on alert in low-lying regions.
Meanwhile, farmers in Bengal are deeply concerned. This period marks the final stage of Aman paddy cultivation, and prolonged rainfall poses a severe threat to standing crops. Experts warn that if water remains stagnant in fields, ripe paddy could rot, leading to substantial production losses. Agricultural economists fear that this could affect not only farmers’ livelihoods but also regional food supply chains.
According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, light to moderate rain will continue in Kolkata and adjoining districts for the next two days. The weather is expected to gradually clear from Friday onwards, although humidity levels may remain high for some time.
In summary, while Cyclone Mantha has weakened significantly after hitting the Andhra coast, its aftereffects continue to grip eastern India. With strong winds, continuous rainfall, and the looming threat of agricultural damage, the administrations of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal remain on high alert. Emergency teams are monitoring river levels, repairing infrastructure, and ensuring that vulnerable communities stay safe until the weather stabilizes.
Even in its weakened state, Cyclone Mantha serves as a reminder of the growing frequency and intensity of tropical storms in the Bay of Bengal — a trend that continues to challenge disaster preparedness and climate resilience across India’s eastern states.
