India’s meteorological agency reported that a deep depression over the central Bay of Bengal has moved northwestward at roughly five kilometres per hour, positioning itself near the coast of north‑central Andhra Pradesh. The system, centred about 30 km west‑south‑west of Kalingapatnam and roughly 80 km northeast of Visakhapatnam, is currently crossing the coastline between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, according to the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin.
Deep depression tracks across Bay of Bengal
The IMD indicated that the front sector of the depression made landfall and would continue to do so for the next two hours. Forecasts suggest the system will retain its intensity for the next twelve hours as it moves northwest, before turning north‑northwest and gradually weakening over the following 24‑hour period. If the system were to intensify into a cyclonic storm, it would be named “Arnab,” meaning “ocean” in Bengali.
During the six‑hour window prior to the update, the depression shifted northwest at about seven kilometres per hour, placing its centre approximately 70 km west‑northwest of Kalingapatnam, 80 km south‑southeast of Rayagada in Odisha, and 90 km east‑southeast of Koraput. The department warned that the system is likely to weaken into a depression by evening and continue to lose strength as it proceeds north‑northwest.
Authorities respond with alerts and evacuations
In response to the impending heavy rainfall, the IMD issued a red alert for parts of southern Odisha, citing the possibility of extremely heavy showers. Districts such as Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam were highlighted for heavy to very heavy rain, with isolated locations potentially receiving extreme precipitation on September 23‑24. Adjacent districts—Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri—were also forecast to experience downpours on September 24‑25.
State officials acted swiftly. Over 5,000 residents in Gajapati district were moved to 264 pre‑designated cyclone shelters, receiving dry rations and cooked meals as a precaution against landslides and flash floods. Although no damage had been reported at the time of evacuation, the move was described as a preventive measure.
Education was disrupted as schools in eight Odisha districts—Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput and Khurda—were closed for the day of September 24. Earlier, schools in four districts had already been shut, and the closures were expected to remain in effect throughout the day.
Two senior ministers were dispatched to southern Odisha to oversee relief operations and coordinate with local authorities. Their presence underscores the government’s focus on monitoring flood‑prone zones and ensuring that emergency shelters are adequately stocked.
In Andhra Pradesh, the chief minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, reviewed the situation and instructed district collectors to stay alert, especially in areas vulnerable to sudden flooding. Precautionary closures were observed in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts, while heavy to very heavy rain continued to affect low‑lying parts of the state, including Vijayawada, where waterlogging hampered movement.
Fishing communities also felt the impact. The Odisha Marine Fish Producers Association reported that, following an earlier notification on September 18 directing fishermen to return to harbours, all Odisha vessels had taken shelter. Additionally, several boats from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu sought refuge at the ports of Paradip and Gopalpur.
Impact across states and ongoing monitoring
Beyond Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, other regions reported weather disturbances linked to the depression. In Bihar, the meteorological centre issued a thunderstorm and rain warning for 38 districts, with orange alerts for heavy rain in 19 districts and yellow alerts for moderate rain in another 19. Cities such as Patna, Samastipur and Begusarai experienced intermittent showers since Thursday.
The state of Telangana announced a full holiday for government offices, schools and colleges on the following Friday, covering urban districts including Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as a precautionary step.
Overall, the coordinated response—ranging from red alerts and school closures to large‑scale evacuations and ministerial visits—highlights the seriousness with which Indian authorities are treating the deep depression. The IMD expects rainfall intensity to increase as the system approaches Koraput later in the afternoon, with continued downpours anticipated over the next two days.
Disaster management teams across the affected states remain on high alert, urging residents in flood‑prone and low‑lying areas to stay vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow official advisories. As the system weakens, officials will continue to monitor its trajectory and issue updates as needed.
Be First to Comment