Deep Depression Nears Andhra-Odisha Coast; Red Alert Issued for Five Districts

A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to make landfall along the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coast near Kalingapatnam on Wednesday night. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the system, which was centered approximately 70 km off Kalingapatnam as of Wednesday morning, is moving west at 12 kmph. While the system is generating significant rainfall and gusty winds, officials at the Cyclone Warning Centre in Visakhapatnam confirmed it has not intensified into a cyclonic storm, as wind speeds remain below the 62 kmph threshold required for such classification.

The weather system has already triggered heavy rainfall across the region. In the 24 hours leading to Wednesday morning, Odisha's Koraput district recorded the highest precipitation, with Simliguda receiving 230 mm and Jeypore 162 mm. In Andhra Pradesh, Srikakulam district bore the brunt, with Palasa recording 141 mm of rainfall. The adverse weather has caused localized damage, including waterlogged roads, overflowing streams, and fallen trees in Visakhapatnam. A boundary wall at a data center site in Mudasarlova also collapsed, though no injuries were reported.

Authorities have issued a red alert through Thursday morning for the Andhra Pradesh districts of Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Alluri Sitharama Raju, and Anakapalli. Visakhapatnam remains under an orange alert. Educational institutions across the Uttarandhra region have been closed for the day as a precautionary measure.

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, overseeing the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development portfolio, has ordered officials to maintain full vigilance. The administration has been instructed to prioritize the repair of damaged rural roads and culverts and to ensure that relief camps are equipped with food, clean water, and medical supplies. Coordination between the Revenue, Police, Electricity, and Animal Husbandry departments has been mandated to minimize disruptions to essential services, including power supply and livestock support.

The IMD expects the system to weaken into a depression by Thursday evening and gradually dissipate into a low-pressure area by Saturday morning. Fishermen have been advised to remain off the sea until Friday due to expected wind gusts reaching 75 kmph.