The Odisha Government has stepped up preparations in coastal districts of the state as the threat Cyclone Montha looming over the Bay of Bengal. Leaves of all government employees in Balasore district has been cancelled, while officials in Ganjam district has been directed to remain stationed at their headquarters until further orders. The state government has urged all district administrations, disaster response teams, and local bodies to remain on alert and ensure round-the-clock readiness to tackle any possible emergency situation, especially in southern and coastal districts. According to the IMD, the cyclonic system is expected to intensify into a deep depression by tomorrow and into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday morning. The system will further strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning. It is likely to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam during the evening or night Tuesday, packing wind speeds of 90 to 100 km per hour gusting up to 110 km per hour.