Heavy rain lashed several parts of Odisha on Thursday as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal advanced steadily towards the state’s coastline, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue multiple alerts.
According to the IMD, the system is moving north-northwest at 13 kmph and is likely to make landfall between Gopalpur and Paradip along the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh coast by late Thursday night.
Red Alert for Seven Districts
Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, said the depression currently lies 160 km south-southeast of Gopalpur, 200 km south of Puri, and 280 km south-southwest of Paradip.
Under its influence, widespread rainfall and gusty winds are expected across the state. The IMD has placed seven districts—Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal—under red alert, with rainfall exceeding 20 cm likely at isolated places till Friday morning.
Additionally:
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16 districts, including Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, and Bolangir, are under orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall (7–20 cm).
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Seven districts in western Odisha are under a yellow alert, with moderate rainfall of 7–11 cm predicted.
Squally Winds and Port Warnings
The deep depression is expected to generate squally winds of 55–65 kmph, gusting to 75 kmph over central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal.
As a precautionary measure, the IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till October 3. Local Cautionary Signal No. III has been hoisted at Paradip, Gopalpur, and other ports along the Odisha coast.
Officials have warned that the intense rainfall could lead to localized flooding, waterlogging, and disruption of festive gatherings during the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations.
