Weather Alert / Deep Depression Triggers Torrential Rains in Odisha, Schools Shut

Bhubaneswar, Sep 24: A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal made landfall near Kalingapatnam, between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, late Wednesday night, triggering heavy rains and strong winds across southern and western Odisha.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system crossed land around 11:30 pm southwest of Kalingapatnam, with the landfall process continuing for nearly three hours. Wind speeds reached 55-65 kmph, accompanied by sea waves rising up to five metres along the Odisha coast.

The Deep Depression over Westcentral & adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal, moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 7 kmph during past 06 hours, and lay centred at 1730 hrs IST of today, the 23rd September, 2026, over the same region close to north Andhra Pradesh coast near… pic.twitter.com/iAcdipi9rO

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) September 23, 2026

Moving southwestward, the depression is expected to have significant impact over the next 24 hours in Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, and Malkangiri, where the IMD has issued a red warning for extremely heavyrainfall.

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District administrations have been placed on high alert, with schools and colleges closed in Kalahandi and Malkangiri to ensure student safety.

Continuous rainfall and gusty winds were reported overnight in Dharmagada, Koksara, and Jaipatna, while water levels in the Hati and Tel rivers are steadily rising, prompting early warnings to riverside residents.

Authorities in landslide-prone areas such as Madanpur Rampur, Koksara, Lanjigarh, and Thuamul Rampur are maintaining strict vigilance.

Relief measures include stocking dry food at block level, preparing 28 temporary shelters, deploying 13 mobile health units, and keeping 8,000 polythene sheets ready.

In Malkangiri, torrential rains have inundated several bridges, disrupting connectivity. Reports indicate four bridges submerged, including those at Kangurukonda and Poteru, with water flowing two to three feet above the structures.

National Highway‑326 has been cut off, while police have been deployed on both sides of vulnerable bridges to enforce safety. Schools and colleges across the district have been declared closed.

Meanwhile, orange warnings have been issued for Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts, where heavy rainfall is also expected. In Ganjam, the district collector has ordered closure of all educational institutions.

The IMD forecasts that coastal districts will continue to experience heavy showers as the system moves inland.