India
Storm forecast targets Bapatla to Visakhapatnam with 140-kmph gusts
Stronger forecasts expand risks to transport, power and communication networks
Stronger forecasts expand risks to transport, power and communication networks
A Bay of Bengal weather system has grown from a into a . It may become a very severe cyclonic storm. The expects it to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam around October 28. Winds could reach 115 to 125 kmph, with gusts up to 140 kmph. Heavy to extremely heavy rain could hit Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and nearby areas, causing floods, power cuts, travel problems and communication failures.
Odisha has closed schools, colleges and in five southern districts. Rescue teams, shelters and emergency services are on standby. State governments, district collectors, , and fire services are preparing evacuations and relief operations. The storm’s path and strength may change, so residents should follow official warnings about travel, power and moving to shelters.
The latest official projection placed landfall around the forenoon of October 28 between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, with winds of 115 to 125 kmph and gusts up to 140 kmph. Residents and administrations were advised to follow bulletins and state instructions as the track, warnings, evacuation decisions, power and communication arrangements continued to be updated.
Preparedness planning focused on moving vulnerable people to safe shelters if conditions worsened and maintaining access for rescue teams. Authorities reviewed , essential services and likely transport disruptions in southern districts near the projected storm path.
The state prepared about 60 teams, 17 teams and 225 fire-service teams for deployment in vulnerable districts. Officials also reviewed shelters, emergency services and support for exposed communities, while district collectors were tasked with coordinating local response and relief operations.
Authorities ordered educational institutions and in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri to remain closed on October 28 and 29. The decision converted the rainfall forecast into a direct public-safety measure and gave district administrations more flexibility to manage transport and vulnerable residents.
The Odisha government identified Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri as likely to face the strongest effects from the Andhra-bound system. IMD warnings included very heavy rainfall and isolated extremely heavy downpours exceeding 20 centimetres on October 28, despite the projected landfall being south of Odisha.
Forecast rainfall became a wider regional threat, with heavy to very heavy rain expected across Odisha and possible in isolated locations. Coastal Andhra Pradesh faced the most direct rainfall risk, while Telangana and nearby areas also prepared for heavy rain, flooding and disruptions linked to the storm's track.
The agency said the depression was very likely to intensify further into a before reaching the Andhra coast. The forecast reached 115 to 125 kmph, with gusts up to 140 kmph. The projected intensity increased the need for evacuation readiness, shelter preparation and protection of essential services.
IMD forecast that the system would move toward the west-central Bay of Bengal and cross the Andhra Pradesh and coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. The projected crossing was placed around the forenoon of October 28, giving coastal administrations several days to prepare.
The system concentrated into a over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. began tracking its northwestward movement toward the Andhra Pradesh coast and warned that further intensification was likely. The developing system became a potential landfall threat rather than a distant weather disturbance.