Industry Odisha Bureau, Sept 23: A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is moving towards the North Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coast. This has pushed for school closures and heightened preparedness across Odisha. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall as the system approaches the coast.
The system is expected to move west-nothwestwards and cross the coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur by the night of September 23. Winds with gusts of up to 75 kmph are likely along and off the South Odisha-North Andhra Pradesh coast.
Several Odisha districts have taken precautionary measures. Schools and Anganwadi centres have been closed in affected areas. Cyclone and flood shelters have also been kept ready. Eleven districts have been placed on high alert. Authorities continue to prepare for possible waterlogging, urban flooding, landslides and mudslides.
Further Government employees’ leave has been canceled in Ganjam, Koraput and Kalahandi. Teachers in Koraput and Kalahandi have also been asked to remain at their places of posting. Vehicle movement has been restricted on some roads and ferry services have also been suspended/
A red alert has been issued for parts of Southern Odisha. Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. Kalahandi, Nabarangapur, Koraput and Malkangiri are also under red alert for September 24 and 25.
There has been speculation over the cyclone’s name as “Arnam.” Despite which, the system is currently expected to cross as a deep depression rather than a cyclone.
