Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Odisha Alerts 20 Districts as Bay Low-Pressure System Develops
Weather experts are watching a system that may bring heavy rain to Odisha.
It is expected to form a low-pressure area over the North Andaman Sea on Saturday evening.
The system may become stronger and move toward the coasts of south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh.
The weather office says it may become a depression, but it has not said that it will definitely become a cyclone.
Odisha has put 20 districts on yellow alert and told 10 more districts to stay watchful.
Heavy rain is expected in south Odisha from September 22.
Thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds are also expected in some places.
Officials are preparing and will issue more updates as the system changes.
Odisha placed 20 districts on yellow alert and asked 10 others to remain vigilant as a Bay of Bengal system develops.
The IMD expects an upper-air circulation from north Thailand to reach the North Andaman Sea on Friday and form a low-pressure area Saturday evening.
The system may intensify gradually and move toward the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts over the following three to four days.
Intense rain is expected across south Odisha from September 22, with heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast in several districts through September 25.
The IMD issued an orange alert for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in 15 districts during the next 24 hours.
- Who
- The Odisha government, the India Meteorological Department and Odisha officials are monitoring the system.
- What
- A low-pressure area is expected to form and may intensify into a depression, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.
- When
- The circulation is expected to reach the North Andaman Sea on Friday, with the low-pressure area forming Saturday evening; intense rain is forecast from September 22 through September 25.
- Where
- The system is expected to form over the North Andaman Sea and move toward the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts.
- Why
- Authorities issued alerts and began preparations because the system could produce heavy rainfall and severe weather.
Cautious Weather Assessment
Precautionary Government Response
Possibility of a cyclone
Cautious Weather Assessment
The IMD said the system was likely to intensify into a depression but had not made a clear forecast that it would become a cyclonic storm.
Precautionary Government Response
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said some weather models indicated the possibility of a cyclone, prompting preparations.
Public response
Cautious Weather Assessment
Meteorological Centre director Manorama Mohanty said there was no need to panic and that the IMD would provide updates if the system strengthened.
Precautionary Government Response
The state government alerted districts, held a meeting of senior officials and communicated directions to district collectors.
- Districts on yellow alert
- 20 districts for heavy rain
- Districts asked to remain vigilant
- 10 districts
- Expected yellow-alert rainfall
- 7 cm to 11 cm
- Expected system formation
- A low-pressure area over the North Andaman Sea on Saturday evening
- Expected movement
- Toward the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts over three to four days
- Orange thunderstorm alert
- 15 districts during the next 24 hours
- Extended rainfall forecast
- Heavy to very heavy rain in several districts through September 25
