Cyclonic storm 'Montha' over the westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north to northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during the past six hours and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm by 5:30 am on Tuesday, said the Meteorological Department.

All preparations are in place for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Rajasthan, which will begin on October 28, Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan said on Monday.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the Meteorological Department on Monday forecast high sea waves along the Andhra Pradesh coast from Nellore to Srikakulam, ranging between 2 and 4.7 metres as cyclone 'Montha' is set to intensify into a cyclonic storm on October 28 morning.

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has strongly refuted allegations made by The Washington Post suggesting that its investment decisions were influenced by external factors, particularly in relation to the Adani Group.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Monday said separate provisions of the Citizenship Act apply in Assam, and a special order will be issued for the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in the state.

The Election Commission on Monday asserted there will be no hurdles in the implementation of special intensive revision of the voters' list in West Bengal as states are constitutionally obliged to provide the poll authority with personnel to carry out the electoral roll clean-up exercise.

The West Bengal government on Monday announced the transfer of over 500 bureaucrats amid the rollout of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.

The Election Commission will conduct phase two of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories between November and February, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced on Monday.