A deep depression made landfall in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, triggering a red alert across several districts. The weather department said the system will move northwestwards over the next 12 hours. Authorities evacuated thousands of people and shut schools as heavy rain is expected to continue through September 25.
The front sector of the deep depression has made landfall, the update stated, adding that the landfall process will continue for the next two hours.
The weather department said that after landfall, the deep depression is very likely to move northwestwards, maintaining its intensity for the next 12 hours. Thereafter, it is very likely to move north-northwestwards and weaken gradually during the subsequent 24 hours.
If it were to become a Cyclonic Storm before hitting land, it would be called “Arnab,” which means “ocean” in Bengali.
Red alert in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh
The IMD has issued a red alert for parts of southern Odisha, warning of extremely heavy rainfall. Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam are expected to receive heavy to very heavy showers, with extremely heavy rain possible at isolated places on September 23-24.
Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri are also expected to see downpour on September 24-25. Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes, and schools are closed in anticipation of extreme rains, flash floods, and coastal winds.
Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation and directed district collectors and officials to be alert in view of the inclement weather and to ensure that people living in areas vulnerable to sudden floods and heavy rains are alerted.
Odisha is expected to be among the worst-affected states, with very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall forecast in several districts. Andhra Pradesh is also preparing for heavy rains.