Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a stern warning for Odisha, forecasting the intensification of a weather system in the Bay of Bengal into a cyclonic storm by Tuesday, October 27. The state is set to experience a significant escalation in rainfall and wind speed over the next five days, with the IMD upgrading its warning to an Orange Alert for several coastal and interior districts.
According to the midday bulletin released by the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, a low-pressure area currently over the southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to concentrate into a depression by Saturday, intensify into a deep depression by Sunday, and finally evolve into a cyclonic storm over the southwest Bay of Bengal by Monday morning.
The IMD has outlined a detailed five-day forecast, indicating a progressive worsening of conditions:
Day 1 & 2 (Today & Tomorrow): Light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) are forecast for parts of coastal and southern Odisha. A Yellow Warning (“Be Aware”) is in effect.
Day 3 (Sunday): The rainfall is expected to become more widespread, covering a larger part of Coastal Odisha and several interior districts, continuing under a Yellow Warning.
Day 4 (Monday): The intensity increases, with light to moderate rain likely at “many places” across the state. The first Yellow Warning for heavy rain is issued for districts including Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Ganjam, and Jagatsinghpur.
Day 5 (Tuesday): An Orange Warning (“Be Prepared to Take Action”) has been issued for this period. “Heavy to Very Heavy Rain” and thunderstorms are predicted for districts including Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam. Rainfall is expected at “most places” across Odisha, indicating a state-wide weather event.
The IMD has warned of multiple potential impacts, particularly for the coastal districts from Balasore to Ganjam. These include:
Damage to plantations, horticulture, and standing crops due to strong winds; Minor damage to vulnerable structures, kutcha houses, and hut; Uprooting of trees and breaking of branches; Major damage to kutcha roads and waterlogging in low-lying areas, leading to traffic disruptions; and Localized flooding and potential landslides in vulnerable areas.
Authorities have advised the public to: Stay indoors and avoid travel if possible; Keep a watch on the weather and be ready to move to safer places; Avoid taking shelter under trees and stay away from water bodies; Unplug electrical appliances and keep away from objects that conduct electricity.
In light of the developing system, the IMD has issued a strict advisory for fishermen. Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 55-70 kmph is predicted from October 26 onwards. Fishermen have been strongly advised not to venture into the sea along and off the Odisha coast starting Sunday, October 26, as sea conditions are expected to become “rough to high.”
Residents across the state, especially in the warning zones, are urged to closely monitor official updates through the IMD’s MAUSAM app and its social media channels for the latest information.
