EASTERN COAST BRACES FOR OCTOBER 28 CYCLONE AS ODISHA MOBILISES DISASTER RESPONSE TEAMS
October 24, 2026
A developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and make landfall between the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts on the morning of October 28, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday. With the system expected to strengthen over the coming days, the Odisha government has begun precautionary preparations, placing districts on alert and mobilising emergency response personnel to minimise the potential impact.
The well-marked low-pressure area is expected to develop into a depression on Saturday, October 24, before intensifying into a deep depression on October 25. The IMD has forecast that it could become a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26. The system is then expected to continue moving west-northwestwards and strengthen further as it approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the likely landfall would occur on the morning of October 28, somewhere between north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha.
Odisha has stepped up its preparedness in anticipation of the potentially adverse weather conditions. State disaster management minister Suresh Pujari said the government had instructed all concerned departments to remain alert, with the objective of ensuring zero casualties. The administration has cancelled the leave of government employees in Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri and Khurda districts as part of its precautionary measures.
Authorities have placed all 30 districts of Odisha on alert, while collectors in 16 coastal and southern districts have been advised to undertake necessary preparations. District collectors have also been empowered to decide whether schools and colleges in their respective jurisdictions should be closed, depending on the prevailing situation and the anticipated weather impact.
Preparations have extended to public spaces and festival infrastructure. Durga Puja committees in Cuttack have been asked to remove the decorative bamboo structures erected for the festival without delay, as officials seek to reduce potential risks from deteriorating weather conditions.
The government has also issued warnings to the fishing and maritime sectors. Owners of large trawlers and vessels have been alerted, while fishermen who have ventured into the deep sea have been advised to return to the coast immediately. The administration is paying particular attention to Puri, Ganjam and Gajapati, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely, according to Pujari.
Rainfall alerts have also been issued for Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Keonjhar, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Kalahandi. The expected weather conditions could affect a wide area beyond the districts closest to the anticipated landfall zone, making advance coordination among local administrations and emergency services essential.
Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and the state's Fire and Emergency Services have been kept on standby. Their readiness is intended to support emergency operations should the system bring damaging weather, flooding or other disruptions.
The forecast remains dependent on the system's further development and movement across the Bay of Bengal. However, with the IMD projecting a possible cyclonic storm and landfall on October 28, Odisha's authorities are accelerating preparations, issuing precautionary instructions and positioning response teams ahead of the expected deterioration in weather.
