Schools Shut, Over 8,000 People Evacuated: Deep Depression Triggers Heavy Rain In Odisha, Andhra Pradesh

News india Schools Shut, Over 8,000 People Evacuated: Deep Depression Triggers Heavy Rain In Odisha, Andhra Pradesh

Last Updated:September 25, 2026, 10:12 IST

Train operations were also affected after landslides occurred between Maligura and Chhatariput stations.

The deep depression that made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Thursday is expected to move north-northwestwards and gradually weaken into a depression, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

According to the IMD’s latest update, the system is likely to continue moving in the north-northwest direction over the next 12 hours before weakening gradually over the following 12 hours.

The weather system has brought heavy rainfall to several parts of the region, triggering landslides, flooding and waterlogging. Thousands of people have been evacuated, with Odisha and Andhra Pradesh bearing the major impact. Parts of West Bengal and Jharkhand have also received rainfall.

The IMD had earlier said the system was not expected to intensify into a cyclone. However, had it developed into a Cyclonic Storm before landfall, it would have been named “Arnab," meaning “ocean" in Bengali.

“The system is under continuous surveillance by the Doppler Weather Radars at Visakhapatnam, Sambalpur & Raipur," the Met Department said.

Odisha Sees Heavy Rain, Over 8,000 Evacuated

Heavy rainfall associated with the deep depression affected several parts of Odisha, prompting the evacuation of more than 8,000 people from low-lying and landslide-prone areas.

Several districts reported landslides, waterlogging, uprooted trees and damage to houses. In some areas, overflowing rainwater disrupted road connectivity and communication.

Train operations were also affected after landslides occurred between Maligura and Chhatariput stations. Four trains were cancelled as a precaution and to enable restoration work, while some others were short-terminated or short-originated, PTI reported.

Odisha Rain Forecast

The IMD has issued a red alert for Koraput, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi for Friday. An orange alert has been issued for Bolangir, Malkangiri, Nuapada, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Ganjam and Gajapati.

The weather department has forecast heavy rainfall at one or two places in Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Bargarh, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Sundergarh, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said authorities were working towards the “zero casualty" target set by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

“We have evacuated 8,082 people by noon, and the process is continuing. District collectors have been asked to shift people from vulnerable waterlogged areas," Pujari said on Thursday.

Schools Shut In Five Odisha Districts

Schools will remain closed in five Odisha districts on Friday as heavy rainfall continues to disrupt normal life in southern parts of the state.

Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Koraput and Rayagada are among the districts where authorities have announced the closure of schools, according to OdishaTV.

Andhra Pradesh Hit By Heavy Rainfall

Several parts of Andhra Pradesh, particularly the north coastal region, received heavy rainfall following the landfall. Roads and agricultural fields were inundated, while trees were uprooted in several areas.

IMD data released on Thursday showed that Visakhapatnam recorded the highest rainfall at 28 cm. Koyyalagudem received 20 cm, while Bheemunipatnam, Kakinada and Peddapuram recorded 15 cm each.

Rain Forecast For Andhra Pradesh

For Friday, the IMD has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places in Alluri Sitaramaraju, NTR and Eluru districts.

Winds reaching 40-50 kmph and gusting up to 60 kmph are likely at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam. Rayalaseema may experience winds of 30-40 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 50 kmph.

Flooding Disrupts Normal Life

Floodwaters submerged important roads connecting Anakapalli and Chodavaram, bringing traffic to a halt, according to PTI Videos.

In Parvatipuram Manyam district, several ponds, canals and rivulets overflowed after two to three days of continuous rainfall.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation and asked district administrations to remain vigilant.

“Restore road connectivity immediately in places where roads are affected by heavy water flow. Alert inhabitants where landslides are likely to occur," Naidu said in an official press release on Thursday, according to PTI.

Deep Depression Crosses Andhra Coast

The IMD said the weather system crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast between 11 pm on Wednesday and 1 am on Thursday.

“The deep depression over north Andhra Pradesh coast moved slowly west-northwestwards with a speed of three km per hour during the past six hours and crossed the coast close to southwest of Kalingapatnam during 11 pm on September 23 and 1 am on September 24," the Met Department said in an official press release on Thursday.

A deep depression is stronger than a depression but remains weaker than a cyclonic storm, according to the IMD.

Rainfall In Jharkhand, West Bengal

Jharkhand experienced light to moderate rainfall on Thursday under the influence of the deep depression, prompting authorities to issue a safety advisory for tourists visiting waterfalls.

The IMD issued an ‘orange’ alert, meaning be prepared, for Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Simdega and West Singhbhum. The alert warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places during the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Friday.

A ‘yellow’ alert, advising people to stay updated, was issued for 11 other districts for the same period, according to an IMD bulletin.

“Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in a few pockets of southern and central parts of Jharkhand on Thursday. Lightning accompanied by gusty winds of up to 50 kmph is also likely in some districts," Ranchi Meteorological Centre Deputy Director Abhishek Anand said, according to PTI.

West Bengal also witnessed heavy rainfall on Thursday as an active southwest monsoon and the deep depression that made landfall in Andhra Pradesh influenced weather conditions, the IMD said.

Kansabati Dam in Bankura recorded 100 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Thursday, the highest rainfall recorded in the state during that period.

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Aanchal SinhaSub Editor

Aanchal is the Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than four years of experience in national and international news. My work involves covering breaking news, politics, current affairs and developments...Read More

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