Odisha has intensified cyclone preparedness ahead of a potential October 28 landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast. Schools will remain closed in five districts, while rescue teams and shelters are ready as the IMD forecasts heavy rainfall and strong winds.Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, while those already in deep waters have been asked to return to the coast. (Credits: Reuters)Bhubaneswar,Oct 25, 2026 13:04 ISTThe Odisha government has stepped up preparations to deal with a potential cyclone, deploying rescue teams and preparing evacuation shelters as a very severe cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28.Meanwhile, Puducherry has been receiving continuous rainfall since last night as the weather system over the Bay of Bengal intensifies.The well-marked low-pressure area over the central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression on October 24 and subsequently developed into a cyclonic system.Cyclone warning signals have been hoisted at nine ports in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore, following the intensification of the weather system over the Bay of Bengal.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the depression is likely to move northwestwards and intensify further, becoming a very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal off the Andhra Pradesh coast by the morning of October 28.Although the storm is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast, southern and coastal districts of Odisha are likely to experience heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed officials to prioritise public safety, evacuation and emergency response, with the objective of ensuring zero casualties.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28. The system is expected to bring maximum sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph, with gusts reaching 140 kmph.The storm is expected to make landfall around 300 km from Gopalpur in Odisha, officials told PTI.According to the regional cyclone naming list, the next cyclonic storm to form over the North Indian Ocean will be named Arnab.Bangladesh contributed the name, which means ocean in Bengali, to the list maintained by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD).SCHOOLS SHUT IN FIVE ODISHA DISTRICTSThe Odisha government has ordered the closure of schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts on October 28 and 29.These districts are expected to face the greatest impact of the storm, while other coastal areas may also receive significant rainfall.Collectors in other districts will decide whether to close educational institutions based on local weather conditions and the evolving situation.The state government has cancelled the leave of district collectors, district magistrates and officers posted in critical offices.They have been directed to return to their headquarters immediately to ensure administrative readiness, according to a notification issued by the General Administration Department.ODRAF, NDRF TEAMS DEPLOYEDThe government has mobilised around 60 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), 17 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 225 Fire Services teams to respond to emergencies.Officials have been directed to move people from vulnerable areas to safer locations, with special attention to elderly residents, patients and pregnant women.
People requiring medical attention will be shifted to healthcare facilities wherever necessary.Ganjam District Collector Keerthi Vasan V said 100 cyclone shelters had been prepared and 1,000 temporary locations identified to accommodate people if evacuations become necessary.Majhi has also directed the Health and Family Welfare, Water Resources, Energy, Agriculture, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development departments, along with engineering services, to remain prepared.Authorities have been asked to ensure the prompt restoration of essential services and repair damage caused by strong winds and rainfall.Health facilities in vulnerable areas have been instructed to stock essential medicines, medical kits and anti-snake venom injections in anticipation of emergencies arising from flooding and waterlogging.IMD ISSUES RED WARNING FOR FIVE DISTRICTSThe IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across Odisha between October 27 and 29. A red warning has been issued for Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam for October 28, with very heavy rainfall and isolated extremely heavy downpours exceeding 20 cm.The rainfall is likely to be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty surface winds reaching 60-70 kmph, the weather agency said.Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from October 24, while those already in deep waters have been asked to return to the coast.The government has also urged farmers to take precautions to protect crops from heavy rain and strong winds.Departments concerned have been directed to coordinate their response, monitor vulnerable areas and ensure the timely removal of fallen trees and restoration of electricity and road connectivity.Odisha is continuing to monitor the weather system and has directed all departments to remain on alert as it prepares for the possible impact of the cyclone.- EndsWith agency inputs