Weather Alert / Odisha CM Reviews Preparedness as Deep Depression Nears Coast

Bhubaneswar, Sep 23: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan here to assess the state’s preparedness in the wake of heavy rainfall triggered by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal.

 Stressing the principle of “zero casualty”, the Chief Minister directed officials to maintain round-the-clock vigilance and ensure maximum safety of lives and property.

The meeting was attended by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM, and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).

SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil briefed the Chief Minister on the depression’s trajectory, expected rainfall, and the precautionary measures already in place.

CM Majhi emphasized that all departments must work in close coordination with district administrations to tackle the situation effectively. He instructed officials to prioritize evacuation from waterlogged areas, provide adequate relief, and maintain strict enforcement of safety protocols. While clarifying that cyclone formation was unlikely, the Chief Minister insisted on maintaining the highest level of preparedness.

Deployment of ODRAF Teams

To strengthen rescue and relief operations, 33 ODRAF teams have been deployed across vulnerable districts: six in Ganjam, three in Gajapati, six in Koraput, three in Malkangiri, three in Rayagada, two in Kalahandi, and one in Balangir. Additionally, nine ODRAF units at Chhatrapur have been kept in reserve.

Coastal Alerts and Fishing Ban

With rough sea conditions expected, local cautionary signal No. 3 has been hoisted at all ports. Fishermen have been barred from venturing into the sea, and district administrations have been instructed to ensure strict compliance.

District-Level Preparedness

Red weather warning has been issued for Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, and Ganjam, where heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by winds of 50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, is expected. Orange warnings cover Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagarh, while yellow alerts have been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, and Boudh.

Emergency operation centres at district and block levels have been instructed to function 24x7. Sensitive habitations have been identified, shelters readied, and stocks of dry food, baby food, drinking water, and sanitation materials kept in reserve. ODRAF, NDRF, and Fire Services teams are on standby with rescue boats, life jackets, and power boats.

Monitoring and Infrastructure Readiness

Officials said that the Water Resources Department is monitoring river and reservoir levels, inspecting vulnerable embankments, and coordinating controlled water release where necessary. Urban administrations have been tasked with drainage monitoring, deployment of de-watering pumps at underpasses, and traffic diversions if required.

Departments including Health, Panchayati Raj, Energy, Commerce and Transport, Works, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Resources have been directed to remain alert with contingency measures. Real-time monitoring of rainfall, flooding, shelter occupancy, power and water supply, rescue deployment, and reservoir safety is underway at both state and district levels.

Also Read: Deep Depression near Odisha Coast Tonight, IMD Issues Yellow Warning for 14 Districts

Depression Movement

According to the SRC, the deep depression over west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal has been moving west-northwest at 12 kmph over the past six hours. At 5:30 am today, it lay 150 km south of Gopalpur. The system is expected to cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, near Kalingapatnam, by tonight.

Its impact is likely to bring widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall across southern Odisha districts, with conditions expected to improve after September 25.