Cyclone Montha Triggers Red Alert in Andhra Pradesh, Key Political and International Updates
Cyclone Montha is set to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday evening or night, prompting a red alert in 16 districts with wind speeds up to 110 kmph. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc is releasing its Bihar poll manifesto as Rahul Gandhi prepares to campaign. Other highlights include controversy over a book map between Bangladesh and Pakistan, a Japan-US summit in Tokyo, a major EU-Turkiye fighter jet deal, and India's women's cricket World Cup squad change.
A severe cyclonic storm, Cyclone Montha, is expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada on the Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday evening or night, bringing winds up to 110 kmph and heavy rain, leading to a red alert in 16 districts. Authorities are on high alert, with evacuations and relief measures underway. In parallel, the INDIA bloc is set to release its Bihar Assembly election manifesto, and Rahul Gandhi will join the campaign from October 29. The article also notes political sparring over the Election Commission’s voter list revision, and a diplomatic controversy after Bangladesh’s interim government adviser Muhammad Yunus gifted a book to a Pakistani general featuring a controversial map. Internationally, new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will meet US President Donald Trump in Tokyo, with trade and security on the agenda, while Turkiye has signed a deal to buy 20 Eurofighter Typhoons from Britain for £8 billion, with plans for more from Gulf states. On the domestic front, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced India’s ambition to join the top five ship-building nations, citing the Great Nicobar project as a key initiative. The Supreme Court criticized Delhi Police for delays in filing responses to bail pleas related to the 2020 riots, and the Centre informed the court that vacancies in the Central Information Commission will be filled soon. In sports, Shafali Verma replaces injured Pratika Rawal in India’s Women’s Cricket World Cup squad ahead of the semifinal with Australia.
