Bhubaneswar: The deep depression over north coastal Andhra Pradesh crossed the coast near Kalingapatnam between late Wednesday night and early Thursday, bringing heavy rainfall to several parts of Odisha. The state government said there were no reports of widespread major damage so far, while field teams continued monitoring the situation and undertaking restoration measures.
The system crossed the coast between around 11 pm on September 23 and 1 am on September 24, with maximum sustained winds of 55-65 kmph and gusts reaching 75 kmph. It subsequently moved west-northwestwards over land.
According to official statement, at 8.30 am on Thursday, the system was centred over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining southern Odisha, around 70 km west-northwest of Kalingapatnam, 80 km south-southeast of Rayagada and 90 km east-southeast of Koraput.
The system is expected to move north-northwestwards and gradually weaken into a depression by Thursday evening, with further weakening likely over the following 24 hours.
The state administration is maintaining close watch, particularly over districts in southern and western Odisha. District administrations and response teams have continued night patrolling, monitoring of river and water levels, traffic management and restoration operations in vulnerable locations.
Localized impacts have been reported in several districts. In Malkangiri, water flowing over parts of the National Highway has led to traffic being diverted through alternative routes near Kangurukonda, MV-90 and Kanyashram. The district administration coordinated with the Chhattisgarh Police for traffic management.
In Nabarangpur, traffic was diverted after water flowed over a bridge in Tentulikhunti block. Two houses were damaged after trees were uprooted, and the affected residents were shifted to safer locations.
In Koraput, more than 100 mm of rain was recorded in Similiguda, but no major damage or loss of life was reported. Kalahandi also reported isolated incidents of uprooted trees, which were cleared promptly.
Gajapati recorded an average rainfall of around 70 mm between 5.30 pm on Wednesday and 6 am on Thursday. With the water level of the Vamsadhara rising, the district administration has continued patrolling along vulnerable riverbank areas, with an ODRAF team deployed.
In Ganjam, officials are monitoring the Vamsadhara and Rushikulya rivers, including through night patrols and management of barrage gates. Rayagada has also maintained night patrols near the Vamsadhara, with no major damage reported so far.
The weather system produced significant rainfall across the state. Similiguda recorded 193.9 mm, Chitrakonda 168.8 mm, Tangi in Khordha 142 mm, Badamba in Cuttack 134 mm, G Udayagiri 125.4 mm, Paralakhemundi 121.4 mm and Gosani 120 mm.
Despite the system moving inland, a red warning remains in force for Nabarangpur for Thursday, while orange warnings have been issued for Koraput, Malkangiri, Bargarh, Nuapada, Balangir and Kalahandi.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall has disrupted road connectivity at some locations. In Ganjam’s Dharakote block, a temporary road over the Nandini river near Manikyapur was washed away, affecting connectivity to six villages while construction of a permanent bridge is underway.
School closures have also been reported in several districts because of the weather. School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond said closures could be extended by another one or two days depending on local conditions. He said the government would assess the impact on students’ studies and consider extra classes to make up for missed lessons
