Bhubaneswar, September 22: The depression over Bay of Bengal lay centred about 180 km south-southeast of Gopalpur, 180 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam, 210 km south of Puri, and 270 km east of Visakhapatnam, said the latest IMD bulletin.
According to the weather office, the depression is moving westwards with a speed of eight kmph and at 11.30 it lay centred about 180 km away from south-southeast of Gopalpur and 210 km from south of Puri.
“The Depression over Westcentral & adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal, moved westwards with speed 08 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 1130 hrs IST of today, the 22nd September, 2026, over the same region near latitude 17.9°N and longitude 85.8°E, about 180 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha), 180 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 210 km south of Puri (Odisha), and 270 km east of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh),” it stated.
The weather system may cross north Andhra Pradesh - south Odisha coasts between Visakhapatnam & Gopalpur as a Deep Depression by night of September 23.
“It is very likely to move west-northwestwards & intensify into a deep depression over Westcentral & adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal during next 12 hours. Continuing to move west-northwestwards it is very likely to cross north Andhra Pradesh - South Odisha coasts between Visakhapatnam & Gopalpur as a Deep Depression by night of 23rd September 2026,” it added.
Meanwhile, the State Government stepped up preparations after the IMD forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds. Officials said collectors of 20 districts in southern and coastal Odisha had been put on high alert, while 10 other district collectors were asked to remain vigilant.
The IMD said squally winds of 55-65 kmph were likely along and off the south Odisha-North Andhra Pradesh coasts from September 23 to the evening of September 24.
Schools and Anganwadi centres in Khurda, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Ganjam and Gajapati districts have also been closed till September 24 in view of the heavy rainfall alert.
A red alert has been issued for parts of southern Odisha for September 23-25. Heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy rain at isolated places, is likely to occur in Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam on September 23-24. Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Mallcangiri have also been put under red alert for September 24-25.
