Severe cyclonic storm Montha Tuesday brought heavy rain in coastal and southern Odisha districts, causing landslides and damaging houses besides uprooting trees, officials said.

The landfall of Montha started at Kakinada in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh at around 7 pm, the Met office said.

Preliminary reports of damages were received from eight southern Odisha districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur.

Normal life, however, was affected in a total of 15 districts in the region. A report from Anaka GP in Gajapati said big boulders fell from nearby hills, blocking roads to five villages.

“The place was earlier identified as a landslide-prone area. Therefore, arrangements have been made for early clearance of the blockade,” said Balak

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