Odisha Puts All Districts on High Alert as Low Pressure System May Intensify Into Cyclone

The Odisha government has placed all 30 districts on high alert as a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 26, officials said on Friday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the system is likely to develop into a depression by October 24, a deep depression by October 25 and a cyclonic storm by October 26. It may move towards the north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts, with a possible landfall on the morning of October 28.

Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said preparations were underway to deal with the impending weather system, with authorities planning for the worst-case scenario regardless of the storm's intensity or landfall location. Of Odisha's 30 districts, 16 coastal districts have been prioritised. District collectors have been directed to activate contingency plans, while the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority has instructed officials to prepare cyclone shelters and shift people from low-lying areas to safer places.

Fishermen venturing into the deep sea have been advised to return to shore by the morning of October 24. The IMD has forecast squally weather and light to moderate rainfall across the Andaman Islands, coastal Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Gangetic West Bengal between October 23 and 25. Winds gusting up to 60 kmph are likely along the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coasts on October 27, with wind speeds expected to increase thereafter.

Puri, Ganjam and Gajapati districts have been identified as red zones for heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 27. Alerts for widespread rainfall have also been issued for several other districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar. The government has directed health authorities to ensure emergency medicines, power backup and obstetric care facilities at hospitals and medical centres. Pregnant women in vulnerable areas will be shifted in advance to safer locations.

The NDRF, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and Fire Services have been kept on standby under the state's 'Zero Casualty' policy.