In a major relief from a severe cyclonic threat, Cyclone Arnab has weakened into a deep depression over the adjoining regions of south Odisha, north coastal Andhra Pradesh, south Chhattisgarh, and northeast Telangana, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The weather system, which moved northwards at a speed of approximately 15 kmph, lost intensity after making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast. As of late Wednesday night, the centre of the deep depression lay about 60 km south of Malkangiri in Odisha. Meteorologists expect the system to weaken further into a depression and subsequently into a well-marked low-pressure area by Thursday evening. Doppler Weather Radars stationed at Gopalpur, Raipur, and Sambalpur are continuously tracking its movement.
Red and Orange Alerts Issued Across Odisha
Despite the storm’s weakening, the IMD has warned that widespread heavy to extremely heavy rainfall will persist across Odisha. Red alerts have been issued for six districts, while orange warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall are active across 20 districts.
- Critical Districts: Gajapati, Ganjam, and Malkangiri remain under high alert due to intense downpours and potential localized flooding.
- Thursday Orange Warnings: Bargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sundargarh districts.
- Yellow Warnings: Nuapada, Balangir, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Balasore districts.
The State Disaster Management Authority continues to maintain high alert, monitoring low-lying areas and vulnerable watersheds across southern and western Odisha.
