Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Deep Depression Nears Andhra-Odisha Coast, Red Alerts Issued
A powerful rain system is moving toward the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
It was near Kalingapatnam on September 23.
Weather officials expected it to cross the coast within hours.
They said it might become a cyclone called Arnab, but it was still officially a deep depression in the reports.
Heavy rain was already affecting Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Some districts received red alerts because flooding and very heavy rain were possible.
Schools in eight Odisha districts were closed until September 24.
South Bengal was also warned about rain, lightning and strong winds.
The reports do not announce a holiday everywhere, so closures depend on local authorities.
The deep depression was near the Andhra Pradesh coast on September 23 and was expected to cross near Kalingapatnam within hours.
The IMD said the system could intensify into a cyclone named Arnab, but it remained a deep depression in the reports.
Red alerts were issued for several Odisha and Andhra Pradesh districts for intense, very heavy or extremely heavy rainfall.
Schools were closed until September 24 in eight Odisha districts; no broader holiday announcement was stated.
South Bengal faced orange and yellow alerts, while fishermen were advised to avoid nearby Bay of Bengal waters until September 25.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh authorities, residents, fishermen and port officials are involved.
- What
- A deep depression is approaching the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast, bringing heavy rain and potentially intensifying into a cyclone.
- When
- The system was tracked on September 23, 2026, with coastal crossing and severe-weather impacts expected from September 23 to 26.
- Where
- The system was over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal near Kalingapatnam, with effects forecast across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and south Bengal.
- Why
- The weather system is expected to produce intense rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds, flooding and dangerous sea conditions.
- System status
- A deep depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal; the IMD said it could intensify into a cyclone named Arnab.
- Reported location
- At 8:30am, it was about 60km southeast of Kalingapatnam; at 5:30pm, it was about 30km south-southwest of Kalingapatnam.
- Expected crossing
- The system was expected to cross the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast near Kalingapatnam, between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur.
- Red-alert areas
- Several districts in southern Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, including Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam, faced red alerts or forecasts of intense rainfall.
- School closures
- Educational institutions were closed until September 24 in Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput and Khurda.
- South Bengal alerts
- Orange alerts were issued for South 24-Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram; Kolkata and neighbouring districts received a yellow alert for September 25.
- Marine warning
- Fishermen were advised not to enter parts of the Bay of Bengal or waters along the Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal coasts until September 25.
- Port signals
- Local Cautionary Signal No. III was hoisted at Kolkata and Haldia ports, with Section Signals I and II at Sagar Island.
