Odisha, Andhra Weather Updates: Heavy rain lashed the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts on Wednesday under the influence of an approaching deep depression. The deep depression, a system that intensifies significantly but is still below the threshold for a formal cyclonic storm, prompted authorities to move at least 3,500 people to safety. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the core of the system is likely to cross the coast before midnight. The impact is likely to be seen in the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts.
The IMD has warned of light to moderate rainfall in most places, with heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few areas, and extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places in southern Odisha on Wednesday and Thursday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in isolated places in the state on Friday and Saturday.
The intensity of rainfall in Odisha, which is witnessing showers since Tuesday, has increased, with Semiliguda in Koraput district receiving the highest rainfall of 230 mm in the last 24 hours till 8.30 am, followed by 161 mm at Jeypore in the same district, an IMD official said.
What Are The Impacts Of Deep Depression?
Under the influence of the system, squally weather conditions will prevail, with wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph till Thursday evening. According to the IMD, the deep depression is a weather system which is more intense than a low-pressure area and less than a cyclonic storm. The state government has, meanwhile, ordered the closure of educational institutions and Anganwadi centres in 10 districts.
What IMD Director Said On Developing Deep Depression
IMD Director Dr Manorama Mohanty says, “The deep depression now lies over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, about 50 kilometres from Kalingapatnam and Visakhapatnam, 120 kilometres from Gopalpur, and 250 kilometres from Puri. It is likely to move west-northwestward and cross the coast between North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha, between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur. It is likely to cross close to Kalingapatnam by tonight, September 23, 2026.”
Red Alert In Puri
Assistant Fire Station Officer Anant Prasad Biswal said, "Right now, the low pressure has intensified into a deep depression, so Puri is currently placed in the red zone. Since Puri is in the red zone, its primary attraction—the sea beach—is a key focus. Thousands of devotees visit the Jagannath Temple every day and then come to enjoy the beach. Due to the deep depression, the sea has turned rough with huge waves, and anything unexpected can happen. Every tourist's life is precious to us."
Deep Depression Moves Towards Andhra- Odisha Coast
The deep depression in the Bay of Bengal was moving towards the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast at a speed of 5 kmph for the last six hours and lay centred 60 km southeast of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 140 km east-northeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 150 km south of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 240 km south-southwest of Puri (Odisha) at 8.30 am, the IMD said in its morning bulletin.
Thousands Of People Shifted To Safe Place
Akshay Sunil Agarwal, collector of landslide-prone Gajapati district in south Odisha, said that 3,500 people, including pregnant women and elderly persons, have been shifted to cyclone centres and temporary relief camps as a precautionary measure and cooked food is being provided to them.
The district administration has identified 140 landslide-prone areas and is keeping a close watch on them, he said. There have been reports of rainwater entering houses, trees uprooting, houses collapsing and muddy waters flowing down hills in Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Nabarangpur districts, officials said.
Heavy Rains In Several Parts Of Andhra
Several places in Andhra Pradesh recorded heavy rainfall under the influence of a deep depression over Bay of Bengal, with Palasa in Srikakulam district receiving the highest rainfall of 14 cm, the India Meteorological Department said on Wednesday.
Other places in Coastal Andhra region which recorded heavy rainfall included Sompeta (13 cm), Kalingapatnam (12 cm), Tekkali (11 cm), Araku Valley (10 cm), Visakhapatnam among others.Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed district collectors and officials to be alert in view of the inclement weather, and ensure people living in areas vulnerable to sudden floods and heavy rains are alerted.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) managing director Prakhar Jain said widespread rains are expected under the influence of the deep depression on Wednesday and Thursday. Jain advised people in low lying areas to be cautious of sudden floods and directed fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea for fishing.
(With Agencies inputs)