Cyclone Arnab: IMD Predicts Deep Depression Near Andhra-Odisha

A weather system that has developed over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression and is approaching the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast. According to the IMD, the weather system is likely to cross the coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur in the vicinity of Kalingapatnam by the night of September 23.

The weather system was located near 18.0°N and 85.0°E late on September 22, roughly 100 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam and 150 km south of Gopalpur. The system was traveling westwards at around 7 kmph but is forecast to turn west-northwestwards subsequently.

Will the System Develop into Cyclone Arnab?

Arnab is the next name to be assigned to a regional cyclone in the North Indian Ocean area, which was provided by Bangladesh. But, the current forecast from IMD states that it will pass through as a deep depression and not as a cyclonic storm.

According to IMD categorization, a deep depression has sustained winds of 52-61 kmph. The system becomes a cyclonic storm when sustained winds become 63 kmph or more.

Thus, it would be too early to call it “Cyclone Arnab.”

Heavy Rain Advisory Issued for Odisha and Andhra Pradesh

Rainfall activity is forecast across the coastal regions due to the weather system. The IMD has issued an advisory on heavy to very heavy rain in some regions of Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh, with extremely heavy rain in some districts.

Some of the districts where high rainfall is expected include Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, and Alluri Sitharama Raju of Andhra Pradesh. Visakhapatnam district and adjoining areas will witness heavy to very heavy rain activity.

The IMD has also issued a squally wind warning along with rough to very rough sea condition along the coastal Andhra Pradesh regions.

Odisha Schools Closed Due to Heavy Rain Warning

Schools and anganwadis have been shut down in some parts of Odisha due to the impending weather effect. According to information received, schools in Khurda and Ganjam have already been shut down till Thursday. On the other hand, schools and anganwadi centers in Gajapati are also expected to remain closed.

Heavy rainfall could result in waterlogging, flash floods in low-lying areas, falling of trees and electric poles, disruption of power and water supply, as per IMD warning.

Fishermen have also been advised not to go to close of the sea.

What Is Going to Happen Now?

The most important thing is the movement of this weather phenomenon towards the area of Kalingapatnam-Gopalpur. According to the latest coastal bulletin released by IMD, the deep depression is forecast to move across the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur by September 23.

People living in exposed coastal and low-lying regions need to pay attention to the advice from the officials and not travel when there is intense rainfall and winds.