Heavy rain continued to lash Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday as the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal moved closer to the east coast. The system is expected to move towards the northern Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, close to Kalingapatnam in the late night and early morning hours of Thursday, the IMD said.
Though it is known as Cyclone Arnab, the IMD has so far maintained that it is a deep depression rather than a cyclonic storm. Arnab is the next name on the regional cyclone naming list and would only receive the name if it strengthens to become a cyclone. Current forecasts suggest it will cross the coast as a deep depression.
Landfall Expected Tonight
According to weather conditions yesterday, the deep depression was moving towards the coast after growing over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal. The system was located closer to the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning and moving west to the northwest.
The IMD predicted coastal crossing between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, with Kalingapatnam likely to be close to the centre of the landfall zone. The system should cross the coast between 5 pm on 23 September and 5 am on 24 September, with the core expected to move inland before midnight.
Odisha Receives Heavy Rain
Some parts of Odisha have already had heavy rainfall as the system approaches. Southern and coastal districts are on high alert because of the threat of heavy rain, waterlogging, flash flooding and landslides, the state government said.
Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri and other southern districts are among the areas facing significant weather risks. Similiguda in Koraput received more than 230 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending Wednesday morning, while Jeypore also received significant rainfall.
The weather conditions also warranted precautionary measures in a few districts. Schools and Anganwadi centres in some of the most vulnerable places have been closed, and shelters and emergency response teams have been set up. Ferry services in parts of Chilika Lake have also been suspended as a safety precaution.
Andhra Pradesh On High Alert
Northern coastal Andhra Pradesh is also expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall as the system moves closer to land. Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram are being closely monitored.
The IMD has warned of squally weather and strong winds along and off the southern Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts. Wind gusts could reach around 75 kmph during the period of greatest impact. Rough sea conditions are also expected, so fishing communities should stay away from the sea.
Other States May Also See Heavy Rain
The weather system doesn’t only affect Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Some parts of Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are under weather alerts, and heavy rainfall and localised flooding could be possible as the system moves inland.
West Bengal is also experiencing rainfall and rough sea conditions associated with the weather system, although the state is not expected to see a direct landfall from the deep depression.
Thousands Of People Moved To Safer Places
Odisha authorities are stepping up preparedness measures as rainfall intensifies. Some 5,000 people have been moved to safer locations in Odisha as the system approaches the coast, as per a Hindustan Times live report.
Residents living in low-lying and vulnerable areas are advised to act in line with local authorities’ requirements and not to travel in heavy rainfall when it is very difficult to do so. Fishermen should stay ashore because of dangerous sea conditions.
However, right now the main concern is heavy rainfall, strong winds, rough seas and possible flooding rather than cyclone intensification. The IMD is now forecasting that the system will cross the coast as a deep depression.
As the weather system moves inland after landfall, rainfall is expected to continue in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states. The situation remains on high alert, and authorities will be closely monitoring the situation.
