Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a pre-cyclone watch for the coasts of South Odisha as a weather system over the southeast Bay of Bengal is forecast to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the next few days.
According to a press release from the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, the depression currently lies about 1040 km south-southeast of Gopalpur. The system is predicted to move west-northwestwards, strengthening into a deep depression by tomorrow, October 26th, and further intensifying into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 27th.
The IMD’s forecast track indicates the storm will reach severe cyclonic storm intensity by the morning of October 28th. It is very likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, around Kakinada, during the evening or night of October 28th. At landfall, the system is expected to pack maximum sustained wind speeds of 90-100 km per hour, gusting to 110 kmph.
While the core of the storm is projected to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha is set to experience significant and widespread adverse weather effects, primarily from heavy rainfall.
The IMD has issued a color-coded warning system for the state:
Initial Phase (Oct 26-27): Light to moderate rainfall at a few places across the state.
Escalation (Oct 27-28): Rainfall becomes widespread. An Orange Alert (Be Prepared) is in effect for districts including Malkangiri, Koraput, Nawarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Kandhamal, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-20 cm). A Yellow Alert (Be Aware) for heavy rain (7-11 cm) covers districts like Nuapada, Bolangir, Khurda, Puri, and Cuttack.
Peak Impact (Oct 28-29): A Red Alert (Take Action) has been sounded for Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam, where isolated extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm is anticipated. An Orange Alert spans adjoining districts, and a Yellow Alert extends across a vast swathe of coastal and northern Odisha, including Balasore and Mayurbhanj.
Continued Fury (Oct 29-30): The Red Alert persists for southern interior districts like Malkangiri, Koraput, Nawarangpur, Kalahandi, and Rayagada, indicating a prolonged period of intense rainfall that raises significant flood and landslide concerns.
Squally weather is expected to commence along and off the south Odisha coast from the evening of October 26th, with wind speeds increasing significantly to 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph by October 28th along the south Odisha coast.
The IMD has issued a stern warning to fishermen, advising them not to venture into the southwest Bay of Bengal and along & off the Odisha coast from October 26th to 29th. Those already at sea have been directed to return to shore immediately.
The IMD has hoisted Distant Cautionary Signal No. I (DC-1) at all ports of Odisha. The state government is likely to initiate precautionary measures, and residents in the alert zones are urged to remain vigilant and follow instructions from official channels as the situation develops.
