Cyclone Alert: Bay of Bengal System to Intensify by October 28
A weather system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to develop into a cyclone and impact Odisha and Andhra Pradesh by October 28.
The IMD forecasts a cyclone formation by October 26.
Odisha has canceled government officials' leaves for preparedness.
Heavy rainfall and a red alert are issued for several districts.
A significant weather system over the Bay of Bengal is projected to strengthen into a cyclone, with landfall anticipated along the southern coast of Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh by October 28. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that a low-pressure area was observed in the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal as of 8:30 a.m. on October 23, 2026.
The IMD indicated that this low-pressure system is expected to persist and evolve into a depression by October 24. Following this, it is likely to shift west-northwest, intensifying into a deep depression by October 25 and potentially transforming into a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26. The cyclone is forecasted to continue its intensification and move towards the North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha coasts in the subsequent days.
In light of the impending cyclone, the Odisha government has taken proactive measures, including the cancellation of leaves for all government employees. Suresh Pujari, the state’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, stated that heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected across several districts starting October 26, with a red alert issued for Puri, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts by October 27. He noted that the IMD has not yet specified the exact landfall location.
Pujari mentioned that weather models suggest the cyclone could make landfall between Gopalpur in Odisha and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, subsequently moving as a depression towards Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh through Odisha's interior regions. He emphasized the importance of evacuating residents based on the cyclone's intensity to ensure safety and protect property. Additionally, fishermen have been advised to return to shore, with warnings issued to trawler operators against deep-sea fishing during this period.
All disaster response units, including the National Disaster Response Force and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, are on high alert. The Minister confirmed that district collectors are authorized to call upon these forces as needed during the crisis. The administration is fully prepared to tackle the disaster and aims to minimize the potential loss of life and property.
