Weather Alert / Deep Depression near Odisha Coast Tonight, IMD Issues Yellow Warning for 14 Districts

Bhubaneswar, Sep 23: A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified and is now moving towards land. Meteorological officials confirmed that the system is advancing at a speed of nearly 12 km per hour and is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast tonight between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, close to Kalingapatnam.

At 5:30 pm, the depression was located about 100 km southeast of Kalingapatnam, 150 km south of Gopalpur, 220 km south‑southwest of Puri, and 180 km east‑northeast of Visakhapatnam. Forecasts suggest it will continue moving northwestwards and make landfall as a deep depression.

Heavy rainfall has already been reported across coastal and southern Odisha, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of wind speeds reaching 60-70 km per hour.

Also read: Odisha Transport Dept Issues High Alert Amid Heavy Rain

Fourteen districts, including Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Rayagada, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Anugola, Debagada, Kalahandi, Kendujhar, Koraput, Sundaragada, Dhenkanal, and Baleshwar, have been placed under yellow warning for the next three hours.

In anticipation of severe weather, district administrations have declared holidays for schools and colleges in 11 districts: Ganjam, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Khordha, Nayagada, Jagatsinghpur, Balangir, and Kalahandi.

Officials have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain indoors and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. The IMD has cautioned that the depression will bring heavy to very heavy rainfall across coastal and southern Odisha, raising the risk of flooding and waterlogging.

The system, which formed over the west‑central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, has strengthened over the past six hours. It is expected to remain a deep depression even during landfall, bringing widespread rain and strong winds.