Deep Depression Triggers Heavy Rains and High Alert in Odisha
A weather system in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression, causing heavy rainfall across Odisha and prompting the state government to place districts on high alert. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red and orange warnings for several districts, forecasting extremely heavy rain and squally winds gusting up to 75 kmph. The system is expected to cross the coast between Gopalpur and Paradip, with authorities deploying resources to manage potential floods and landslides.
Unpacked:
Severe cyclones and depressions frequently form in the Bay of Bengal, especially before and after the monsoon. Odisha has experienced several major cyclones, with significant ones nearly every few years, including extremely destructive events like the 1999 Odisha super cyclone.
Odisha has faced catastrophic cyclones, most notably the 1999 super cyclone, which caused over 9,800 deaths, left millions homeless, and resulted in billions of dollars in damages, marking it as one of the deadliest and most damaging cyclones in Indian history.
Authorities have issued high-alert warnings, evacuated vulnerable areas, deployed emergency personnel, and prepared relief materials to handle possible floods and landslides, following standard disaster management protocols developed after past extreme events.
If the system strengthens, local communities may face flooding, wind damage, crop loss, and disruptions to power, transport, and communications. Vulnerable populations could be displaced, and recovery could take weeks or months, as seen in previous severe cyclones.