Indian authorities have initiated large-scale evacuations and closed schools as Cyclone Montha approaches the eastern coastline. The severe cyclonic storm, currently swirling over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh late Tuesday. With winds predicted to reach 90-110 kph (55-68 mph), the storm has prompted the issuance of red alerts—the highest weather warning level—for 19 districts in Andhra Pradesh. Neighboring states, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka, are also bracing for moderate to heavy rainfall. Disaster teams have evacuated 38,000 people from low-lying areas to relief camps, with an estimated 4 million residents in vulnerable zones. Andhra Pradesh has prepared 1,906 relief camps and 364 school shelters to accommodate evacuees from 1,238 at-risk villages. Schools and colleges remain closed until Wednesday, and fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea. Train and flight services have been partially disrupted. In Odisha, around 32,000 people have been relocated to relief camps. Climate scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such storms to global warming, which fuels warmer oceans and more extreme weather patterns. India, one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, is also among the most vulnerable regions to climate impacts. The 2023 cyclone season was particularly devastating, claiming 523 lives and causing $2.5 billion in damages. Tropical cyclones, known as hurricanes or typhoons in other regions, are among the most destructive natural disasters, especially in densely populated coastal areas. As global warming continues to escalate, the frequency and severity of such events are expected to rise, posing significant challenges for vulnerable regions like South Asia.