Stormy Skies Surge: Southern Shores on Stormwatch as Cyclone Shadows Loom

Even as dark clouds loom over the Bay of Bengal, Odisha remains alert for what could metamorphose into a cyclone face-off on its southern coastline, mixing whispers about an impending storm with rainfall so ceaseless that festive Diwali preparations risk turning into a soak-to-safety scramble. As foreign models of the storm indicate potential cyclone-like devastation and Indian forecasts issue heavy rain alerts, the state government is moving into overdrive to implement a war room effort by placing districts on high alert and declaring a zero-tolerance policy for nature’s tantrums.

Addressing the hovering weather clouds, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said that the administration was “fully ready” to face any situation based on advanced forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and international weather entities. “There are two low-pressure areas forming in the Bay of Bengal,” Pujari said, adding that while a US agency eyes cyclone formation, our IMD is for now positive only about massive downpours. Southern Odisha, the focal point of worry, has been issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rain, while coastal districts swing under orange warnings. “We are making the district administration alert so that if there is a disaster, we will fight it, and even if it fizzles out, we will also be ready,” he said, stressing the drills being held by the government as La Niña’s imprint looms, which experts say could supercharge October cyclones.

Explaining the trajectory of low-pressure systems that roll in from the sea, Regional IMD Director Manorama Mohanty said: “Bred off the southwest Bay, it’s now racing west-northwest to gather depression speed by tomorrow and slug its way coastwise along north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra – skipping Odisha but spawning enough trouble on its path.” She added, “Nothing much for us, but light-to-moderate rain with thunder and squall to occur over five days, causing the maximum effect in south, coastal and north Odisha.”

In the next 24 hours, at least 13 districts – Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Boudh, Nayagarh and Khordha, including Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur & Kendrapara – could witness lightning strikes, sudden squalls and slippery conditions on roads.

Tomorrow’s forecast adds drama for coastal and southern interior districts like Ganjam, Puri and Bhadrak, where rain will be moderate to heavy enough to bring rivers out of their banks and inundate low-lying areas. With evacuations in place and NDRF teams on standby, this pre-Diwali downpour is not only about the weather — it’s a measure of resilience for an already battered state still grappling with past cyclones like Fani.

Will it barely fizzle to a drizzle or roar to a red alert? Meanwhile, wary Odisha looks toward the horizon with a mix of caution and valour.