Deep depression LIVE updates: Landfall to continue over 2 hours; Odisha, Andhra on red alert

Deep depression LIVE updates: The system is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds to parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as it moves west-northwestwards. Deep depression LIVE updates: The deep depression over Westcentral and adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards with a speed of 5 kmph during the past six hours, and lay centred at around midnight, the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated. The deep depression lay over the north Andhra Pradesh coast, about 30 km West-southwest of Kalingapatnam, 80 km northeast of Visakhapatnam and 170 km southwest of Odisha’s Gopalpur. It is crossing the North Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Odisha coasts between Vishakhapatnam and Gopalpur, close to the southwest of Kalingapatnam, IMD said. ...Read More

The front sector of the deep depression has made landfall, the update stated, adding that the landfall process will continue for the next two hours. The weather department said that after the landfall, the deep depression is very likely to move northwestwards, initially maintaining the intensity of a deep depression for the next 12 hours. Thereafter, it is very likely to move north-northwestwards and weaken gradually during the subsequent 24 hours. If it were to become a Cyclonic Storm before hitting land, it would be called “Arnab,” which means “ocean” in Bengali. Red alert in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh With red alert status in effect in vulnerable districts such as Koraput, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur, the disaster response forces are on standby; thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes, and schools are closed in anticipation of extreme rains, flash floods, and coastal winds. Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation and directed district collectors and officials to be alert in view of the inclement weather and to ensure that people living in areas vulnerable to sudden floods and heavy rains are alerted. Odisha is expected to be among the worst-affected states, with very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall forecast in several districts. Andhra Pradesh is also preparing for heavy rains.

A powerful storm wreaked havoc in Burgampadu of Bhadradri Kothagudem in Telangana. Trees and roof sheets were blown away. Those caught in the storm escaped with minor injuries, local media reported.

Assistant Station Officer from the Fire Service Department, Ananta Prasad Biswal, told news agency ANI, “Given the current situation, specifically the deep depression, Puri has been designated a 'red zone,' a status expected to remain in effect for the next two days... We have deployed 98 lifeguards from the Odisha Fire Service to raise awareness. The situation in Puri is dangerous today and expected to worsen tomorrow; a deep depression has already formed, making the sea extremely turbulent with high waves. Anything could happen at any moment.”

"Red flags have already been hoisted, and lifeguards are continuously issuing warnings via loudspeakers. The government has provided lifeguards, ATVs, and megaphones, and the Puri administration has officially banned bathing in the sea.