There has been a strong weather system over the Bay of Bengal, which has developed into a depression and is expected to hit the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coasts along the stretch from Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur.
Though the initial model predicted chances of formation of a named storm, according to the IMD, it will intensify as a deep depression, causing very heavy rains and squalls on the east coast.
Shutting down of schools and anganwadis : Schools and anganwadi centers were closed in districts such as Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Gajapati, and Malkangiri. Restriction on transport movement: Ferries have been stopped in Chilika Lake, and hill route transport in places like Kalinga Ghat has also been stopped. The southern and coastal areas of Odisha are expecting very heavy rains; therefore, there have been administrative shut-downs in these regions. Red alerts issued : Red alerts have been issued by the IMD for districts like Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Kalahandi due to very heavy rainfall, warning of possible flooding, waterlogging, and landslides.
Impact of the system on Andhra Pradesh and the ‘Cyclone Arnab’ question
Earlier reporting noted: Odisha is expected to be among the worst-affected states, with heavy rainfall already reported in several parts. The track : The system will be moving towards the northwest direction and is likely to hit land between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur. Naming : Even though there is a name for the next North Indian Ocean system on the regional cyclone list as Arnab (name proposed by Bangladesh), it needs to be stated that meteorological conditions limit the intensity of the system only to a deep depression. The weather system has prompted authorities in several districts to shut schools and prepare for possible flooding and other weather-related incidents.
The coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh are set for rough seas and winds blowing up to 75 kmph.
Earlier reporting noted: Cyclone ‘Arnab’ threat: Which states will be affected as Bay of Bengal weather system nears coast Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are likely to bear the brunt of a weather system over the Bay of Bengal that is forecast to intensify into a deep depression and move towards the coast, the India Meteorological Department ( IMD ) said.
Earlier reporting noted: The system is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds to parts of the two states as it moves west-northwestwards.
