Odisha Gears Up for Expected Very Severe Cyclonic Storm on Oct 28, 2026

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) projects a low-pressure system over the east-central Bay of Bengal to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm with sustained winds of 115–125 km/h and gusts up to 140 km/h. The storm is expected to reach the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coastline by the morning of Oct 28, 2026 and bring heavy rainfall across southern Odisha. The Odisha government has cancelled leave for district officials, deployed disaster-response teams, and ordered the closure of schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in five vulnerable districts on Oct 28 and Oct 29.

First PostCNBC TV18Officials' leaves cancelled, schools shut: Odisha steps up cyclone preparedness as storm nears Andhra coast The Hindu

• Oct 23, 2026 – IMD identified a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.

Deccan Chronicle

• Oct 24 – Forecast to become a depression; fishermen advised to stay ashore.

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• Oct 25 – Depression remained stationary.

Hindustan Times

• Oct 26 – Projected development into a cyclonic storm.

CNN-News18

• Oct 27 – Red warning issued for Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam districts, citing very heavy rainfall.

Odisha activates disaster response as cyclone threatens October 28 landfall

• Oct 28 – Storm slated to make landfall near the Andhra Pradesh coast, with Odisha expecting gusts of 70–90 km/h.

Cyclone Arnab Alert: Andhra Pradesh braces for very severe cyclonic storm; Odisha on alert

• Wind forecast: 115–125 km/h sustained, gusts up to 140 km/h (IMD).

CNN-News18

• Rainfall forecast: Very heavy rain, isolated downpours > 20 cm in the five districts (IMD).

Weather tomorrow: IMD forecasts rain, thunderstorms in 9 states; cyclone to hit Andhra and Odisha, Keralam under red alert

• Rescue-team deployment: ~60 ODRAF teams, 17 NDRF teams, and 225 Fire Services teams on high alert (Chief Minister).

Odisha steps up preparedness, evacuation plans as severe cyclonic storm nears Andhra coast

• Shelter readiness: 100 cyclone shelters prepared and 1,000 temporary locations identified (Ganjam District Collector).

Odisha steps up preparedness, evacuation plans as severe cyclonic storm nears Andhra coast

• Affected districts: Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri.

Odisha activates disaster response as cyclone threatens October 28 landfall

• Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi cancelled leave, directed officials to report to headquarters and stressed a “zero-casualty” objective, ordering relocation of elderly, patients and pregnant women.

Telegraph India

• Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari highlighted the red warning, urged water-level monitoring and instructed engineering departments to stand ready for road-clearing and power restoration.

Odisha activates disaster response as cyclone threatens October 28 landfall

• District Collector Keerthi Vasan V confirmed shelter readiness.

Hindustan Times

• Health officials were asked to stock essential medicines and anti-snake-venom kits.

First Post

The storm threatens flooding, disruption of agriculture and damage to infrastructure across southern Odisha. Pre-emptive mobilisation of forces, shelter preparation and movement restrictions aim to protect lives and limit economic loss.

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• Continuous IMD bulletins will be issued.

Hindustan Times

• District authorities will decide on further school closures or evacuations based on real-time conditions.

The Hindu

• Fishermen remain warned to stay ashore from Oct 24 onward.

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• Engineering and utility departments stand by to restore electricity, water and road connectivity after the storm.

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