Heavy rain driven by a depression over the Bay of Bengal lashed coastal and southern Odisha on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, prompting the government to close schools, cancel employee leaves, and deploy disaster teams to vulnerable areas. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the weather system was located approximately 220 km from Odisha’s Gopalpur and 320 km from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
District-Wide Closures and Emergency Preparations
With the IMD forecasting that inclement weather will continue through September 25, 2026, administrations in Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, and Gajapati closed schools for the day. Malkangiri district declared that schools and Anganwadi centres will remain closed until September 24, 2026. Despite the closures, teachers and staff must report to schools under roster duties introduced by principals to keep buildings accessible around the clock for emergencies, as reported by officials.
Authorities in Koraput and Kalahandi directed teachers not to leave their places of posting until September 25, 2026. Government employee leaves were cancelled in Ganjam, Koraput, and Kalahandi due to the worsening conditions. Meanwhile, the National Rural Talent Scholarship examination scheduled for September 22 will proceed as planned at designated exam centres.
Travel Restrictions and Transport Suspensions
The state government restricted vehicular movement on specific routes, including Kalinga Ghat connecting Ganjam and Kandhamal. Ferry services between Satapada and Jahnikuda in Chilika Lake are suspended for four days until September 25, 2026, according to official notices.
IMD Forecast and Alert Status
According to the IMD, the depression is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal within 12 hours. The weather service stated it is likely to cross the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur as a deep depression during the night of September 23 to the early hours of September 24.
IMD Bhubaneswar centre Director Manorama Mohanty noted that rainfall has already started across different parts of the state and will likely continue until September 25. A red alert has been issued for parts of southern Odisha for September 23–25. Koraput, Gajapati, and Ganjam face heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy rain at isolated places on September 23–24, while Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, and Malkangiri are under a red alert for September 24–25. Squalls with winds gusting up to 75 km per hour are expected along and off the south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts from the morning of September 23 to the evening of September 24.
Did You Know? The National Rural Talent Scholarship examination scheduled for September 22 proceeded as planned at designated examination centres despite the widespread school closures across coastal and southern Odisha.
Government Response and Cyclone Clarification
Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg stated that collectors in 11 districts have been put on high alert following IMD warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall, severe waterlogging, urban flooding, landslides, and mudslides. Garg confirmed that the administration has prepared several cyclone and flood shelters for any eventuality.
Addressing public concerns, Garg rejected the possibility of a cyclone forming during this weather event. “We have been informed by the IMD that the system could intensify into a deep depression, but not a cyclone,” the chief secretary said, noting that required personnel are on standby to manage extremely heavy rainfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the depression currently located?
According to the IMD, the depression over the Bay of Bengal is located approximately 220 km from Odisha’s Gopalpur and 320 km from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
Which districts have closed schools?
Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, and Gajapati closed schools for the day, while Malkangiri ordered schools and Anganwadi centres closed until September 24, 2026.
Is this weather system expected to develop into a cyclone?
How will your local community prepare if severe waterlogging or heavy rainfall impacts your area over the coming days?