Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government announced on Saturday that it has implemented its disaster preparedness model due to a severe cyclonic storm expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a pre-cyclone watch for the South Odisha coasts, forecasting heavy rainfall for three days starting October 27 as a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal develops into a depression. According to the IMD’s 5.30 pm bulletin, the depression is moving westward and is currently located about 970 km southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) and 1,030 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha). A scientist at the IMD in Bhubaneswar explained that a depression follows a low-pressure area and precedes a cyclonic storm.
The IMD predicts that this system is likely to move west-northwest, intensifying into a deep depression by October 26 and transforming into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 27. After that, it is expected to shift northwest, then north-northwest, and evolve into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28. The IMD stated that it is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada during the evening or night of October 28 with maximum sustained winds of 110 kmph.
Although the system is not projected to directly impact the State, parts of South Odisha lie within the “cone of uncertainty,” indicating a chance of heavy rainfall and strong winds in several districts. Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, noted that the IMD has issued a red warning for rain and wind in specific southern and coastal districts on October 28 and 29. A red alert (indicating rainfall of 20 cm and above) has been issued for the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri, while an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall (12 cm to 20 cm) is in place for Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur on October 28.
On October 29, a red warning is also in effect for Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, and Malkangiri, with an orange warning for Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Boudh, Bolangir, and Nuapada. Additionally, nine districts are under a yellow warning where rainfall of 7 cm to 11 cm is anticipated. The IMD has warned of squally weather with wind speeds up to 55 kmph along and off the south Odisha coast starting the evening of October 26, increasing to 65 kmph by the evening of October 27 and possibly reaching 80 kmph from the evening of October 28 to early October 29 before gradually decreasing.
The IMD’s latest advisory indicates that sea conditions are expected to be rough to very rough along and off the Odisha coast from the evening of October 26 to the evening of October 27. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out to sea from October 26 to 29, and those currently at sea should return to shore immediately. The IMD has also issued Port Warning Signals and recommended the hoisting of Distant Cautionary Signal No.I (DC-1) at all ports in the State.
