Unnamed deep depression crosses Andhra coast as Odisha evacuations top 8,000

A deep depression that crossed the north Andhra Pradesh coast near Kalingapatnam brought intense rain, squally winds and widespread disruption across northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, prompting the evacuation of more than 8,000 people in Odisha.

The system crossed the coast southwest of Kalingapatnam between 11 p.m. on September 23 and 1 a.m. on September 24, with sustained winds of 55 to 65 kmph and gusts reaching 75 kmph. It then moved inland through north coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha.

Despite widespread references to “Cyclone Arnab,” the India Meteorological Department did not classify or name the system as a cyclonic storm. It remained a deep depression, one category below cyclonic-storm intensity. Arnab is included in the approved regional list of cyclone names, but a name is assigned only after a weather system reaches the required intensity.

System moving inland and weakening

The IMD tracked the deep depression moving north-northwest across southern Odisha toward southern Chhattisgarh. Its forecast showed the system weakening into a depression before becoming a well-marked low-pressure area by September 26 as land interaction and stronger atmospheric wind shear reduced its intensity.

Although coastal wind speeds were expected to ease, the system continued carrying substantial moisture inland. Heavy to very heavy rain remained possible in parts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, with additional rainfall warnings extending into neighbouring areas of central and eastern India.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh recorded exceptionally intense rainfall during the system’s approach and landfall. Visakhapatnam received 28 centimetres in the 24 hours ending on the morning of September 24, while several stations in the coastal belt reported totals above 10 centimetres.

Evacuations expand across southern Odisha

Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said 8,082 people had been shifted from vulnerable areas. The weather affected 273 villages under 127 gram panchayats in 37 blocks across Koraput, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Ganjam, Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts. Five urban areas also reported rain-related effects.

Early reports placed the number evacuated in Gajapati at more than 1,500, but precautionary relocation expanded as rainfall intensified. Residents of low-lying settlements, landslide-prone hills and areas near overflowing streams were moved to shelters. Pregnant women and other vulnerable residents received priority, while food, drinking water and medicines were positioned at relief centres.

The Odisha government deployed 33 state disaster-response teams and placed fire and emergency personnel on alert. District and block control rooms were ordered to operate around the clock, while officials monitored rivers, reservoirs and drainage channels for sudden rises.

Flooding, landslides and transport disruption

Persistent rain caused flooding, fallen trees and landslides across parts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Koraput, Malkangiri and Rayagada. Road links were interrupted in several hilly areas, including stretches serving R Udayagiri and villages where landslide debris or washed-out approaches blocked access.

Water flowed over roads and low bridges in Malkangiri, while flooding disrupted traffic on routes in northern Andhra Pradesh. A landslide also interrupted movement on the Koraput–Rayagada railway section as maintenance teams worked to remove earth and boulders and inspect rain-affected tracks.

Schools and Anganwadi centres were closed in several vulnerable Odisha districts. Gajapati, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi extended closures through September 25 because of continuing rain, waterlogging and unsafe road conditions. Officials also restricted movement through landslide-prone routes and advised residents not to cross flooded roads or bridges.

Power crews mobilised in Andhra Pradesh

Landfall caused power disruptions across parts of northern Andhra Pradesh as strong winds and heavy rain damaged local distribution infrastructure. State utilities deployed 3,599 workers in 266 teams to repair lines and restore supply. Disaster-response teams were stationed in Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Alluri Sitharama Raju and other vulnerable districts.

Authorities asked transport and emergency-service officials to remain prepared for road failures, flooding and falling trees. Residents in low-lying areas were urged to follow evacuation directions, avoid swollen waterways and rely on official weather alerts.

The IMD advised fishermen to stay out of the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, as well as waters off the Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal coasts, through the morning of September 25. Sea conditions were forecast to improve gradually as the system weakened and moved farther inland.