Deep Depression Set to Hit Odisha Coast Tonight; IMD Issues Heavy Rain Alert

Bhubaneswar: A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is heading toward the Odisha coast and is expected to make landfall tonight, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday. The weather system is likely to bring widespread rainfall and strong winds across several parts of the state.

In its morning bulletin, the IMD said the system over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal is moving north-northwestwards at 17 kmph. At 5:30 am, it was located near latitude 17.7°N and longitude 85.7°E, around 190 km south-southeast of Gopalpur, 230 km south of Puri, and 310 km south-southwest of Paradip.

The system is expected to continue its path and cross the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast between Gopalpur and Paradip by the night of October 2, the IMD said.

Heavy Rainfall Predicted Across Odisha

The approaching system is likely to cause intense rainfall activity across coastal and interior districts. The IMD has issued red, orange, and yellow alerts for various regions based on the severity of expected weather conditions.

Red Alert: Extremely heavy rainfall is predicted at isolated places over Jagatsinghpur and Puri, along with thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph.

Orange Alert: Districts including Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Cuttack, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Bolangir, and Dhenkanal may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall and gusty winds up to 50 kmph.

Yellow Alert: Moderate to heavy rain is likely in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nawarangpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Angul, and Keonjhar districts. Winds with a speed of 40–50 kmph are also expected.

In Nuapada, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Deogarh, thunderstorms with lightning and winds up to 30–40 kmph may occur at isolated places.

Authorities on Alert

With the system moving closer to the coast, authorities have been placed on high alert. The IMD has warned fishermen against venturing into the sea and advised the public to remain cautious, especially in low-lying areas prone to waterlogging and flooding.

The weather department said conditions will begin to improve gradually after landfall, though light to moderate rain is likely to continue in several districts over the next 24 hours.