The IMD said on Wednesday that the deep depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining northwest Bay moved westward at a speed of 12 kilometres per hour during the past six hours. At 5:30 am, the system was centred over the same region.
At that time, it was located about 70 kilometres east-southeast of Kalingapatnam, 150 kilometres south of Gopalpur, 150 kilometres east-northeast of Visakhapatnam and 230 kilometres south-southwest of Puri.
According to the IMD, the weather system is very likely to move west-northwestwards. It may cross the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coasts between Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Gopalpur in Odisha, near Kalingapatnam, as a deep depression by Wednesday night, September 23.
The IMD classifies low-pressure systems according to their intensity and maximum sustained wind speed over the sea. A system with wind speeds of 17 to 27 knots, or 31 to 50 kilometres per hour, is classified as a depression. A system with wind speeds of 28 to 33 knots, or 52 to 61 kilometres per hour, is classified as a deep depression. Once wind speeds reach 34 knots, or 63 kilometres per hour, or more, the system is classified as a cyclonic storm.
This means that not every low-pressure system automatically develops into a cyclone. To enter the cyclonic storm category, the system must cross the prescribed wind-speed threshold.
Odisha is expected to be among the states most affected by the weather system, with heavy rain already being reported across several parts of the state. With the deep depression expected to cross the state on Wednesday night, the government has deployed personnel and machinery at strategic locations. Collectors of 11 districts participated in a virtual meeting, while officials were directed to keep cyclone and flood relief centres ready to accommodate people if required.
Adequate stocks of essential supplies and equipment have also been prepared in view of the continuing heavy rainfall. Health and emergency services have been placed on alert, while disaster management teams remain on high alert. Water levels in rivers, reservoirs and dams are being continuously monitored.
Amid the heavy rainfall, schools and anganwadi centres have been ordered to remain closed in four Odisha districts. IMD scientists have warned that heavy rain could raise river water levels and create flood-like conditions in low-lying areas, particularly in locations that have already been experiencing continuous rainfall.
In Khurda district, all schools have been ordered to remain closed from Tuesday to Thursday. In Ganjam district, government, government-aided and private schools have been ordered to remain closed from Tuesday to Thursday. In Jagatsinghpur district, all schools and anganwadi centres were ordered to remain closed on Tuesday. In Gajapati district, schools and anganwadi centres will remain closed from Tuesday to Thursday, with the order applying to both government and private institutions.
Vehicle movement has also been restricted on some roads because of heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions. These include Kalinga Ghat, which connects Ganjam and Kandhamal. Ferry services between Satapada and Jahnikuda across Chilika Lake will also remain suspended for four days until September 25. Reports of fallen trees and road blockages have emerged from Gajapati, Ganjam and some other districts.
The Deep Depression over Westcentral & adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal, moved westwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 06 hours, and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 23rd September, 2026, over the same region near latitude 18.0°N and longitude 84.7°E, about 70 km… pic.twitter.com/GIKjomAyTi
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) September 23, 2026
Coastal Andhra Pradesh is also expected to experience the impact of the deep depression. The Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up preparations to deal with the possible impact of a cyclonic storm. Home and Disaster Management Minister Vangalapudi Anitha directed officials to keep control rooms operational around the clock and continuously monitor weather conditions.
She also appealed to people to stay away from trees, large hoardings and dilapidated buildings during strong winds. With the deep depression continuing to move toward the coast, preparations across Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are focused on monitoring rainfall, water levels, emergency services and possible disruptions as the system approaches the shoreline.
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