The Odisha government has placed all 30 districts on high alert as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal continues to intensify and move towards the east coast. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by October 28 and make landfall near Kakinada, between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Wind speeds are likely to reach 90–100 kmph, with gusts up to 110 kmph, while Odisha braces for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on October 28 and 29.

Red, orange, and yellow alerts have been issued across several southern and coastal districts, warning of rainfall exceeding 20 cm at isolated locations. Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed that all districts have been instructed to stay prepared for rescue and relief operations. District Collectors have been directed to evacuate residents from low-lying and vulnerable areas, with 15 coastal and southern districts expected to face the worst impact. In view of the situation, seven districts have also cancelled government employees’ leaves to ensure complete readiness.

As of early Sunday morning, the depression was moving west-northwest at about 10 kmph and was located 610 km west of Port Blair, 790 km east-southeast of Chennai, and 850 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam. The IMD expects the system to intensify further over the next 24 hours before turning into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28. Authorities have urged people living in coastal and affected regions to stay alert, follow official advisories, and avoid venturing into the sea.