Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are likely to bear the brunt of a weather system over the Bay of Bengal that is forecast to intensify into a deep depression and move towards the coast, the India Meteorological Department ( IMD ) said.
Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy rain possible at isolated places on September 23-24. Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri are under red alert for September 24-25. Winds may gust up to 75 kmph between the morning of September 23 and evening of September 24.
Odisha is expected to be among the worst-affected states, with heavy rainfall already reported in several parts. The system is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds to parts of the two states as it moves west-northwestwards. The weather system has prompted authorities in several districts to shut schools and prepare for possible flooding and other weather-related incidents. The IMD has issued a red alert for parts of southern Odisha. The weather office has warned of squally weather and strong winds along and off the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts. However, the IMD has currently forecast that the system will intensify into a deep depression, rather than a cyclone.
“We have been informed by the IMD that the system could intensify into a deep depression, but not a cyclone,” the chief secretary said, adding that the government has put required personnel ready to handle extremely heavy rainfall. Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg also said the weather office had informed the state government that the system was not expected to become a cyclone.
