Odisha has intensified cyclone preparedness ahead of a potential October 28 landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast. Schools will remain closed in five districts, while rescue teams and shelters are ready as the IMD forecasts heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, while those already in deep waters have been asked to return to the coast. (Credits: Reuters)
Coastal regions across southern and eastern India are on alert as a weather system over the Bay of Bengal intensifies, with Tamil Nadu and Puducherry facing heavy rainfall and Andhra Pradesh bracing for a possible cyclone landfall on October 28.
Odisha has also stepped up disaster preparedness, anticipating heavy rain and strong winds in its southern and coastal districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast that the system would intensify into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26 before moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.
It is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam around the forenoon of October 28, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph and gusts reaching 140 kmph.
Meanwhile, continuous rainfall has caused waterlogging in parts of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, while cyclone warning signals have been hoisted at nine ports, including Chennai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Karaikal, Pamban and Thoothukudi.
According to the regional cyclone naming list, the storm will be named Arnab if it intensifies into a cyclonic storm.
Bangladesh contributed the name, which means “ocean” in Bengali, to the list maintained by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the IMD.
ANDHRA PRADESH BRACES FOR CYCLONE LANDFALL
Andhra Pradesh is expected to face the direct impact of the storm, with the IMD forecasting landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam around the forenoon of October 28.
The system developed from a low-pressure area over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, which intensified into a depression on October 24. It is expected to move west-northwestwards, intensifying into a deep depression before developing into a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
The IMD has forecast that the system will strengthen further and approach the Andhra Pradesh coast by the morning of October 28.
Speaking to ANI on Friday, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra outlined the expected progression of the weather system from a low-pressure area to a depression, then a deep depression and subsequently a cyclonic storm.
Mohapatra said wind speeds over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal were around 35-45 kmph, gusting to 55 kmph, at the time of his statement.
At landfall, the system is expected to bring maximum sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph, with gusts reaching 140 kmph.
TAMIL NADU PORTS HOIST CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS
Cyclone warning signals have been hoisted at nine ports as the weather system intensifies over the Bay of Bengal. The ports include Chennai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Karaikal, Pamban and Thoothukudi.
The warning signals indicate the need for port authorities, vessel operators and other maritime stakeholders to remain alert to changing weather conditions.
The IMD has forecast further intensification of the system as it moves towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. The evolving weather conditions have also raised concerns about heavy rainfall across parts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring coastal areas.
ODISHA STEPS UP PREPAREDNESS, SCHOOLS SHUT IN FIVE DISTRICTS
Although the storm is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast, southern and coastal Odisha are likely to experience heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed officials to prioritise public safety, evacuation and emergency response, with the objective of ensuring zero casualties.
The state government has ordered the closure of schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts on October 28 and 29. These districts are expected to face the greatest impact of the weather system.
Collectors in other districts will decide whether to close educational institutions based on local weather conditions and the evolving situation.
The government has cancelled the leave of district collectors, district magistrates and officers posted in critical offices. They have been directed to return to their headquarters immediately to ensure administrative readiness, according to a notification issued by the General Administration Department.
ODRAF, NDRF TEAMS DEPLOYED
Odisha has mobilised around 60 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), 17 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 225 Fire Services teams to respond to emergencies.
Officials have been directed to move people from vulnerable areas to safer locations, with particular attention to elderly residents, patients and pregnant women. People requiring medical attention will be shifted to healthcare facilities wherever necessary.
Ganjam District Collector Keerthi Vasan V said 100 cyclone shelters had been prepared and 1,000 temporary locations identified to accommodate people if evacuations become necessary.
Majhi has directed the Health and Family Welfare, Water Resources, Energy, Agriculture, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development departments, along with engineering services, to remain prepared.
Authorities have been asked to ensure the prompt restoration of essential services and repair damage caused by strong winds and rainfall.
Health facilities in vulnerable areas have been instructed to stock essential medicines, medical kits and anti-snake venom injections in anticipation of emergencies arising from flooding and waterlogging.
IMD ISSUES RED WARNING FOR FIVE ODISHA DISTRICTS
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across Odisha between October 27 and 29. A red warning has been issued for Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam for October 28, with very heavy rainfall and isolated extremely heavy downpours exceeding 20 cm.
The rainfall is likely to be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 60-70 kmph, the weather agency said.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from October 24, while those already in deep waters have been asked to return to the coast.
Farmers have also been urged to take precautions to protect crops from heavy rain and strong winds. Departments concerned have been directed to monitor vulnerable areas, coordinate their response, remove fallen trees promptly and restore electricity and road connectivity in the event of disruptions.
PUDUCHERRY BATTLES RAIN, WATERLOGGING
Puducherry and neighbouring areas have been experiencing continuous rainfall since Saturday night as the northeast monsoon remains active in the region.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue in Puducherry, Karaikal and adjoining districts of Tamil Nadu, according to the weather forecast.
Waterlogging has been reported in several parts of Puducherry, particularly along Coast Road and in Krishna Nagar and Laspet Sarum, causing inconvenience to residents.
Local residents have urged the Puducherry government to take immediate steps to drain accumulated water and address the situation.
The rainfall comes as the weather system over the Bay of Bengal intensifies, raising concerns about further adverse weather along parts of the eastern coastline.
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With Ajaya Nath and agency inputs