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WQDaFFFFFFffffIndia is illuminated with festive spirit as it prepares for Diwali celebrations, which begin today, October 18, with Dhanteras and will conclude on October 23 Cyclone Montha Becomes Severe, To Make Landfall Tonight! Nearly 100 Trains On Odisha-Andhra Route Cancelled Or RescheduledCyclone Montha Becomes Severe, To Make Landfall Tonight! Nearly 100 Trains On Odisha-Andhra Route Cancelled Or RescheduledIndia is illuminated with festive spirit as it prepares for Diwali celebrations, which begin today, October 18, with Dhanteras and will conclude on October 23 Amaravati/Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Montha has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is all set to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday (October 28) evening or at night. The India Meteorological department has warned of high tides along the coast, with Andhra likely to witness intense rainfall and strong winds during the landfall process. Adjoining states like Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal will also face impact of the tropical cyclone, officials said.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and assured all possible support to help the state deal with the cyclone. After the phone call, Naidu said PM Modi assured central assistance to Andhra Pradesh to deal with the cyclone. According to an official release, the CM briefed the PM about the relief and precautionary measures taken by the state government. The PM in turn assured all necessary support from the Centre.atellite image between 7:00 am and 7:27 am shows the location of Cyclone 'Montha' over Bay of Bengal. (IMD website via PTI Photo)Under the influence of the cyclone, heavy to very heavy rains will lash Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh with heavy rains expected in Guntur, Bapatla, NTR, Palnadu and West Godavari districts. CM Naidu has directed NDRF, Panchayat Raj engineering team, Roads and Buildings officials and electrical department officials to remain fully prepared for restoration operations post cyclone. "The CM ordered advance action in places where rains and floods are likely. He told officials to strengthen the banks of canals to prevent crop loss," the release stated.Red Alert In 8 Odisha DistrictsMeanwhile, Odisha government continues evacuation of people from vulnerable places in eight southern districts where a red alert has been issued. Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari said district administrative officials, along with people's representatives, Anganwadi workers, ASHA didis and others are convincing people to shift to safer places. The evacuation drive is going on with priority on pregnant women, elderly persons and persons with disabilities.So far 128 rescue teams (over 5,000 personnel) of NDRF, ODRAF, Odisha Fire Service and others have already taken position in eight vulnerable districts-- Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi and Kandhamal. He said that 'red warning' (take action), predicting extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds (gusting up to 80 kmph), was issued for these eight districts.The minister said that the priority of the government is to ensure "zero casualty" and arrangements have been made to minimise damage by taking advance measures. He said special attention is being given to the hilly areas, particularly in Gajapati, Koraput and Malkangiri districts, where there is a possibility of landslides.Currently, sea condition is rough to very rough along and off the Odisha coast. It would worsen further becoming high from today morning till early hours of Wednesday. It is likely to improve gradually becoming very rough to rough during the subsequent 12 hours.