Bhubaneswar:A deep depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal has intensified as it moved westward at 18 km/h over the past six hours. Centered near latitude 17.9°N and longitude 86.0°E as of 0830 hours IST on September 22, 2026, the system is located approximately 200 km southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha), 200 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 210 km south of Puri (Odisha), and 290 km east of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that the system will intensify into a deep depression over the next 12 hours. Continuing on a west-northwestward trajectory, it is expected to cross the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur as a deep depression between the night of September 23 and early morning of September 24.
Light to moderate rainfall is expected across many parts of Odisha on September 22, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall. Rain activity will escalate on September 23 and 24, bringing light to moderate rainfall across most of south Odisha, alongside heavy to very heavy falls and isolated extremely heavy rainfall. Heavy downpours will continue at isolated places on September 25 and 26. In response to the intensifying system, Red Warnings have been issued for Koraput, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts for September 23 to 24 due to expected heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Red Warnings have also been issued for Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, and Malkangiri districts for September 24 to 25.
Gale winds reaching 40 to 50 km/h, gusting to 60 km/h, are already impacting the south Odisha, north Andhra Pradesh, and Yanam coasts, as well as adjoining sea areas. Wind speeds are set to increase to 50 to 60 km/h with gusts up to 70 km/h by the evening of September 22. Peak wind speeds over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal will reach 55 to 65 km/h, with gusts up to 75 km/h from September 23 through the evening of September 24. Sea conditions will remain rough to very rough, and fishermen are strictly advised not to venture into the west-central, northwest, or southwest Bay of Bengal, or along the Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal coasts through September 24.
During the 24 hours ending at 0830 hours IST on September 22, Odisha recorded an average rainfall of 13.5 mm, with the highest rainfall logged at Pattamundai in Kendrapara district at 78.0 mm. According to the Water Resources Department’s morning bulletin on September 22, major rivers in southern Odisha remain below their respective danger levels. On the Rushikulya River, Sorada stands at 76.83 m (danger level 81.99 m), Madhabarida at 55.94 m (danger level 60.65 m), and Purushottampur at 12.18 m (danger level 16.84 m). On the Vamsadhara River, Gunupur stands at 80.93 m (danger level 84.00 m) and Kashinagar at 52.93 m (danger level 54.60 m). Water storage capacities in key southern reservoirs currently stand at 83.6% for Upper Indravati, 54.5% for Upper Kolab, 44.4% for Balimela, and 63.8% for Machhkund (Jalaput).
Odisha’s Chief Secretary reviewed state preparedness alongside the Special Relief Commissioner, Director of Fire Services, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Water Resources, Police, and Collectors of southern districts. District Collectors have been instructed to identify vulnerable areas, prepare cyclone and flood shelters, stockpile essential supplies, and pre-position disaster response forces. Special emphasis has been placed on landslide-prone zones within Gajapati, Rayagada, Ganjam, Koraput, and Malkangiri districts, while Fire Services units are on high alert.
A total of 33 ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force) teams have been deployed or earmarked for emergency response. Out of these, 24 teams are stationed directly in vulnerable districts, including 6 in Ganjam, 3 in Gajapati, 6 in Koraput, 3 in Malkangiri, 3 in Rayagada, 2 in Kalahandi, and 1 in Balangir. Additionally, 9 ODRAF teams are kept on reserve at the OSAP 8th Battalion ODRAF Unit in Chhatrapur, Ganjam district.
Health authorities have been directed to ensure full medical facility readiness, while the Water Resources Department is continuously monitoring rainfall, reservoir inflows, and dam levels. All senior officials and district administrations have been ordered to remain at headquarters to maintain constant oversight. State and district administrations are closely monitoring the situation in real time, and field officials are on high alert to initiate quick action as needed. Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant, avoid waterlogged or low-lying regions, follow local administrative directives, and rely solely on official advisories issued by the Government of Odisha and the IMD.