IMD warns Bay of Bengal depression may land near Odisha-AP coast

The India Meteorological Department on Friday warned of widespread heavy rainfall and the likely development of a depression in the Bay of Bengal that could make landfall between south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh around September 27, prompting a series of weather alerts, school closures and safety advisories across multiple states.

The IMD said a low pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal regions is expected to intensify into a depression by September 26 as it moves west northwestwards, with landfall likely the following day. That system, together with other cyclonic circulations and upper air troughs, is forecast to bring heavy to very heavy rain, gusty winds and rough seas to large parts of eastern and central India over the coming days.

Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh were among the first to be placed on alert. The IMD issued yellow warnings for several north Andhra districts for September 24 and 25, and flagged additional districts along the coast for rain through the weekend, advising residents to be wary of waterlogging, flash floods and crop damage. Separate bulletins and local authorities gave stronger colour coded warnings for some...