A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by tomorrow morning and further strengthen into a very severe cyclonic storm before reaching the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Odisha from Tuesday to Thursday, with five southern districts facing a red warning. The Odisha Government has mobilised disaster response teams, ordered precautionary measures and prioritised the safety of people in vulnerable areas.
“The deep depression over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal is moving towards the Indian east coast and is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by tomorrow morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts further intensification into a severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday and a very severe cyclonic storm by Wednesday. The system is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the Wednesday forenoon, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115 to 125 kilometres per hour and gusts reaching 140 kilometres per hour. In Odisha, heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast from Tuesday through Thursday. Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri are among the districts facing heightened risks, with a red warning for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on Wednesday. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed the administration to ensure preparedness and minimise casualties. Around 60 ODRAF teams and 17 NDRF teams have been deployed, while 225 Fire Services teams remain on high alert. Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in the five southern districts will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, while authorities are preparing for evacuations and possible disruption to transport, power supply and agricultural activities.
