AMARAVATHI: Cyclone 'Montha', which is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, has begun, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) Managing Director Prakhar Jain said on Monday.

Coastal districts are experiencing rain and strong gales.

Thai word 'Montha' means fragrant flower.

"Cyclone has begun. Coastal districts are witnessing rainfall accompanied by gales," Jain said in a release, adding that the system would intensify further as it approached land.

According to Jain, the cyclone moved at a speed of 18 km per hour in the past six hours. It was located about 560 km off Visakhapatnam by evening and is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning.

"The cyclone is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada during the

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