Weather system over Bay of Bengal may intensify into cyclone, cross Odisha-Andhra coasts by October 28

The weather system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclone and cross the southern Odisha–northern Andhra Pradesh coast by October 28.

According to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Bhubaneswar Met Centre, a low-pressure area over east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal persisted over the same region at 8.30 a.m. on Friday (October 23, 2026).

“It is most likely to persist over the same region and intensify into a depression on October 24, 2026. Thereafter, it is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a deep depression on October 25 and into a cyclonic storm over the westcentral Bay of Bengal by October 26 morning,” the IMD bulletin said.

“The cyclonic system would then continue to intensify further and move west-northwestwards towards North Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Odisha coasts during subsequent two days,” it said.

The Odisha government cancelled the leaves of all government officials as part of its preparedness measures for the cyclone.

“Under the impact of the weather system, several Odisha districts are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall from October 26. By October 27, a red alert for heavy rain has been issued for Puri, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts,” said Suresh Pujari, Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, after a high-level meeting.

Subsequently, a majority of Odisha districts would experience cyclonic weather on October 27, he said, adding that the IMD was yet to forecast the exact area of the landfall of the predicted cyclone.

“We have been informed through different weather models that the cyclone may enter the landmass between Odisha’s Gopalpur and Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada and move as a depression towards Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh through interior Odisha districts,” the Minister said.

Mr. Pujari said that depending on the intensity of the weather system, people will be evacuated, and their lives and properties safeguarded. “Many government employees have left their respective stations due to Dasara celebrations. Now, they have been asked to return to their offices. Leaves of officials have been cancelled,” he said.

“Fishermen have been advised to return to the coast. Trawler operators have been warned not to force fishermen fishing in deep sea,” he said.

All disaster response forces, including the National Disaster Response Force and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, are on standby. “District Collectors can requisition the services of disaster response forces during the time of crisis,” the Minister said. “The administration is completely ready to face the disaster and minimise the loss of life and property.”