Odisha Cancels Holidays as Cyclone Teams Prepare for Storm

Government employees in Odisha have had their holidays cancelled, while disaster-response teams wait on standby as a Bay of Bengal weather system grows stronger. Officials are preparing shelters and relief supplies, with evacuations possible if conditions demand them. The storm’s exact path and strength are not yet clear, but the state has moved into precaution mode. ¹

The India Meteorological Department says the low-pressure system is expected to become a depression on October 24. It could strengthen into a deeper depression on October 25 and a cyclonic storm on October 26. It is forecast to move west-northwest and approach the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts around the morning of October 28. Winds could reach 70 to 80 kmph, with gusts up to 90 kmph from October 26.^1,2 The forecast puts six Odisha districts under a red warning.

That red warning covers Puri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri. Heavy rain and strong winds could disrupt daily life in those districts. Rain may begin in coastal Odisha on October 26 and become heavy to very heavy on October 27. It could turn extremely heavy on October 28 and 29. Authorities have stopped fishermen from going to sea. The uncertainty matters: the IMD has not named where the storm may hit land or forecast wind speeds at that point. Officials are preparing for risk without a clear track. ^1,9

Shelters and response crews are being readied before the storm reaches the coast because its track remains uncertain. The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and National Disaster Response Force are on alert. District officials are preparing for possible evacuations. The IMD expects the system near the coast on October 28. Its next forecasts should clarify where the heaviest rain and winds may fall. ^1,6