Key Highlights:

  • Odisha directed officials across departments to remain on high alert ahead of an impending deep depression and associated rainfall.
  • The system, currently over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to cross the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Visakhapatnam.
  • A red alert has been issued for Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput and Rayagada on September 22, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected.
  • Strong winds of 55-65 kmph, gusting to 75 kmph, are likely, with fishermen advised not to venture into the sea until September 26.
  • IMD warned of possible waterlogging, landslides and mudslides, urging people to stay indoors during heavy rain and strong winds.

A State on High Alert

The Odisha government on Tuesday directed officials of all departments and field-level personnel to remain on high alert and take necessary action in view of the impending deep depression and associated rainfall.

Advisories for the Public

Officials said the general public has been advised to stay alert, avoid waterlogged and low-lying areas, follow local administration instructions, and adhere to advisories issued by the state government and the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Several parts of the state have already experienced heavy rainfall due to the system in the last 24 hours, indicating that the impact of this weather system had already begun before the formal high alert was issued.

The System's Current Trajectory

IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty said the system, which intensified into a depression over the Bay of Bengal, is likely to further intensify into a deep depression within the next 12 hours and cross the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Visakhapatnam.

Tracking the System's Position

"The depression now lies over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal. It moved westwards at a speed of 18 kmph during the last six hours and is about 200 km southeast of Gopalpur and 210 km south of Puri," Mohanty said, providing precise positioning data to help residents and authorities gauge the system's proximity and likely timeline for landfall.

Expected Timing of Landfall

The system is expected to move west-northwestwards and cross the coast between Gopalpur and Visakhapatnam during the night of September 23 and the early hours of September 24, giving affected districts a fairly specific window to prepare for the most intense phase of the weather event.

Rainfall and Wind Forecasts

Mohanty said the system would bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to several districts of southern Odisha between September 22 and 24. Strong winds of 55-65 kmph, gusting up to 75 kmph, are also likely, a combination of intense rainfall and high winds that raises the risk of both flooding and structural damage across the affected region.

Red and Orange Alerts for September 22

For September 22, a red alert has been issued for Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput and Rayagada, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall. An orange alert has been issued for Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Khurda and Puri districts, indicating a fairly wide swath of southern and coastal Odisha under some level of heightened weather warning.

Alerts for September 23

For September 23, a red alert has been issued for Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi. Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Balangir and Nuapada are likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall, showing the alert zone shifting somewhat as the system continues its approach toward landfall.

Alerts for September 24

For September 24, a red alert has been issued for Nabarangpur, while an orange alert covers Koraput, Malkangiri, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Balangir and Bargarh, marking the day expected to coincide with the system's landfall along the coast.

A Warning for Fishermen

The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea until early in the morning on September 26. Sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough, with squally weather expected along the Odisha coast. Local Cautionary Signal Number Three has been hoisted at all ports, a formal maritime warning indicating heightened risk for vessels operating near the coast.

Precautions for Residents

Mohanty advised people to remain indoors during heavy rain and strong winds. Waterlogging is likely in low-lying areas, while weak structures and vulnerable vegetation, including banana and papaya plants, could be damaged. She also warned of possible landslides and mudslides in vulnerable areas and urged caution while travelling, offering a fairly comprehensive set of precautions covering both urban flooding risks and the specific agricultural and terrain-related hazards likely to accompany this particular weather system as it makes landfall over the coming days.