Odisha has begun preparations for a possible cyclonic storm forming over the Bay of Bengal, with the India Meteorological Department issuing an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in eight districts between November 19 and 21 and authorities directing fishermen to return to the coast.
The system is likely to form by the evening of November 16 and could intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of November 18, said Manorama Mohanty, director of IMD Bhubaneswar. It may produce wind speeds of 85-95 kmph, with gusts reaching 105 kmph.
The IMD has not yet forecast the likely landfall area. Mohanty said the system’s path and landfall location could be predicted within a day or two. Former IMD Bhubaneswar director Sarat Chandra Sahu said weather models indicated that the storm could reach the Andhra Pradesh coast around November 19 or 20, with the possibility of further intensification.
The orange warning covers Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri and Khurda among eight districts. Squally weather, with winds of 45-55 kmph and gusts up to 65 kmph, is expected along and off the south Odisha coast from November 17. Wind speeds could rise to 50-60 kmph, with gusts up to 70 kmph, between November 18 and 20.
Sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough from November 17 to 21, according to the IMD bulletin. Fishermen currently at sea have been advised to return to the coast by November 15, while fresh fishing activity along and off the south Odisha coast should be avoided from November 17.
The state government is currently in a wait-and-watch mode because the likely landfall area has not been identified. However, the office of the special relief commissioner issued an advisory on Saturday to districts covered by orange and yellow warnings, asking local administrations to remain prepared for any eventuality.
The advisory specifically highlights risks in urban areas, including localised flooding of roads, waterlogging in low-lying locations and the closure of underpasses. Residents have been advised to monitor weather updates and take shelter during thunderstorms to reduce the risk of lightning-related incidents.
The warnings place coastal transport, road access and drainage systems under immediate operational pressure, particularly in areas exposed to heavy rainfall and strong winds. Further action by district administrations will depend on the storm’s development and the landfall forecast expected over the next one to two days.
