Bhubaneswar: In view of the weather conditions caused by the deep depression and the ongoing heavy rainfall, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Wednesday conducted a high-level review meeting at the conference hall of the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC).
The Minister reviewed the administrative preparedness with the Collectors of Koraput, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Ganjam, Khordha, Rayagada, Nayagarh, Kalahandi and Kandhamal districts. He stressed the need to prioritise the safety of life and property by ensuring timely warnings, preparedness and prompt response measures.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the deep depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal moved westwards at a speed of 12 kmph during the past six hours. As of 5.30 am on September 23, 2026, it was located near latitude 18.0°N and longitude 84.7°E. The system lay about 70 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam, 150 km south of Gopalpur, 230 km south-southwest of Puri and 150 km east-northeast of Visakhapatnam.
The deep depression is likely to move west-northwestwards and cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, near Kalingapatnam, by the night of September 23, 2026. It is expected to cross the coast as a deep depression.
Under the influence of the weather system, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at several places across the state.
A Red Warning has been issued for Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri for the period from 8.30 am on September 23 to 8.30 am on September 24. An Orange Warning has been issued for Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam during the same period.
According to rainfall data recorded up to 8.30 am on September 23, the state received an average rainfall of 37.9 mm during the preceding 24 hours. At the district level, Koraput recorded 93.3 mm, Gajapati 79.2 mm, Balasore 61.8 mm, Nabarangpur 59.6 mm and Ganjam 55.5 mm.
During the period, Similiguda in Koraput district recorded the highest rainfall of 230.2 mm. Other locations that recorded more than 100 mm of rainfall included Jeypore in Koraput with 161.6 mm, Gunupur in Rayagada with 160 mm, Mohana in Gajapati with 145 mm, Borigumma in Koraput with 138.2 mm and Tentulikhunti in Nabarangpur with 138 mm.
As part of preparedness to deal with the situation, a total of 33 ODRAF teams have been deployed across different districts. Six teams have been deployed in Ganjam, three in Gajapati, six in Koraput, three in Malkangiri, three in Rayagada, two in Kalahandi and one in Balangir.
In addition, nine teams from the ODRAF unit at Chhatrapur in Ganjam have been kept in reserve.
Squally winds of 55–65 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 75 kmph, are likely over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal during September 23–24.
As rough to very rough sea conditions are expected along the Odisha coast, Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 has been hoisted at all ports.
Fishing activities have been prohibited in the central and north Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh until September 24, 2026. District administrations have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the restriction.
Heavy rainfall may lead to localised waterlogging in urban and low-lying areas, rising water levels in rivers, streams and drainage channels, flash floods in vulnerable hilly areas, and landslides and mudslides in the hilly regions of southern Odisha.
There is also a possibility of damage to thatched and kutcha houses, standing crops and horticultural crops. Uprooting of trees may affect power and telecommunication infrastructure.
Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi have been accorded the highest priority, while a high level of preparedness has been maintained in Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh.
District- and block-level Emergency Operation Centres have been directed to remain operational 24×7. Authorities have been asked to identify vulnerable habitations, keep shelters ready and stock dry food, baby food, drinking water and other essential supplies.
ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Services teams have been deployed and kept ready in advance. Rescue boats, life jackets and power boats have also been kept prepared for emergency response.
The Water Resources Department is continuously monitoring water levels in rivers and reservoirs, inspecting vulnerable embankment locations and making arrangements for the controlled release of water wherever necessary.
In urban areas, arrangements have also been made to monitor drainage systems, deploy dewatering pumps at low-lying underpasses and implement traffic diversions wherever required.
The Health & Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Energy, Works, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, and Fisheries & Animal Resources Development departments have also been directed to remain alert and maintain necessary preparedness.
In view of the heavy rainfall and the impact of the deep depression, the public has been advised to remain alert to local weather updates and follow the advisories issued by the administration. People in areas vulnerable to waterlogging, flash floods and landslides have been advised to exercise particular caution.
Real-time monitoring of the situation is being carried out at both the state and district levels. Authorities are keeping a continuous watch on heavy rainfall, waterlogging, shelter arrangements, electricity and drinking water supply, deployment of rescue teams and the storage levels of reservoirs.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee; Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department, Shubha Sarma; Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil; IMD Regional Director Dr Manorama Mohanty; IG, Fire Services, Uma Shankar Das; Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources Department, Dillip Kumar Rout; and senior departmental officials.
Collectors and district-level officials of the concerned districts participated in the meeting virtually.
